The Bezalel Academy was founded as an art movement in 1906 in Jerusalem and is now recognised as Israel's oldest institution of higher education in the field of art and design. Boris Schatz, the 'father of Israeli art', left his position as Head of the Royal Academy of Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria to found the Academy and establish an institution that combined education and craftsmanship, merging Eastern and Western cultures by providing places for artists to work and study. Although Jewish art in Mandatory Palestine had a history that reached back to at least the mid-19th century, the commonly-held opinion by 1906 was to dismiss the earlier works as of little value and to laud the importance of Boris Schatz as a pioneer who attempted "to create a Jewish art, indeed, a Palestinian art" in part by the establishment of the Bezalel School. Yona Fischer suggests that Bezalel is, within the historical context of Zionism, a movement that "divides past and future"of an emerging Israel "searching its own definition."

Bezalel Academy buildings 1913

The Bezalel artists blended varied strands of tradition with innovations in producing paintings and craft objects that invoked Biblical themes, Islamic design and European art traditions such as Art Nouveau, Symbolism and included tradtional Persian and Syrian art. Their efforts were a noble attempt to carve out a distinctive style of Jewish art for the new nation planned to be established in the ancient Jewish homeland. In fact, ultimately, their group's works of art contributed significantly to the creation of a distinctive Israeli national culture. The artists were Zionist immigrants from Europe and the Middle East who had survived all the psychological and social upheavals inherent in European Jewish lives and, inevitably, their personal experiences became
interwoven with their art. The artists and designers were European-trained but the craftsmen who actually executed the works, were often members of the Yemenite Jewish community which had a long tradition of craftsmanship in precious metals. Filigree jewellery-making, primarily in silver, was a respected profession among the Yemenite Jewish community with both cultural and religious applications and these craftsmen-silversmiths created pieces by hand using traditional methods.

Bezalel woollen carpet depicting Rachel's tomb

The Bezalel story is inspiring, still after over 120 years. I only recently chanced upon a mention of this hugely important movement about which I knew nothing, and so have looked online for a little more contemporary information. Below are details taken from current publicity and convey an uplifting and joyful message announcing as it does, the Bezalel prime purposes nationally and culturally.

Boris Schatz, founder of Bezalel 1906

"For more than a century, Bezalel has served as a magnet for people who dare to dream, dare to do. Filled with principles and passions, talent and vision, at the Academy students embark on a demanding quest to acquire the tools and training to hone their talents and perfect their craft. During the course of their education, they are taught to meet the challenges of today's global society and blaze their own unique trail in tomorrow's world. Bezalel epitomises the essence of Israeli art and design and has been a crucial catalyst in the country's cultural development. Its unique status in Israeli history and society is the foundation for its conviction that educating and training aspiring artists requires endowing them with values and the seeds of responsible citizenship as well as skills.

Jozef Israel self-portrait, given to Schatz

Bezalel is known for its excellence in educating and enriching generations of aspiring artists, designers and architects; and for inspiring original thought, furthering tolerance and for promoting freedom of expression and creative libery that expand cultural horizons and impact conventional beliefs. The Academy encourages its students and faculty to use their distinctive skills and viewpoints to embrace humanistic and human-centred approaches to art and design. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered in a myriad of disciplines: architecture and urban design; fashion and jewellery; fine arts;glass and ceramics; industrial design; photography and visual communication. Degree programmes are also offered in theory and policy of the arts and visual culture."

Boris Schatz was a Lithuanian Jewish artist and sculptor who temporarily lived in Palestine. Schatz was the founder of the Bezalel School and would later be known as the father of the Bezalel School movement in Israeli art. His children, Zahara Schatz and Bezalel Schatz were also artists and Zahara gained recognition internationally.The 1955 Israel Prize for Art was awarded to her in recognition of the important national contributions of the whole Schatz family. After Schatz died, part of his art collection, including a famous self-portrait by Dutch Master, Jozef Israels, given to Schatz by the artist, eventually formed the nucleus of the Israel Museum.