Art News

Second Israeli art sale at Bonhams celebrates European view of the Holy Land

LONDON.- Many of the works of art in Bonhams sale of Israeli Art on Feb 29th was made by new arrivals from Europe. A work by Reuven Rubin (Israeli, 1893-1974), a Rumanian émigré who became Israel’s first ambassador to Rumania, leads the sale. Titled ‘Les Oliviers’ and dated ‘Rubin Les Oliviers 1958’ , it is an oil on canvas estimated to sell for £75,000-100,000.The picture is from the collection of Joseph and Mabel Ottenstein, Washington D.C. and thence by descent to its current owner. Commenting on his new country Rubin said: “Here in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Tiberias I feel myself reborn. Only here do I feel that life and nature are mine. The grey clouds of Europe have disappeared. My sufferings and the war too are ended. All is sunshine, clear light and happy creative work. As the desert revives and blooms under