Ben Uri Seeks Missing Paintings by Ludwig Blum

4 October 2010

Tel Aviv seascape by Ludwig Blum

In January 2011, Ben Uri brings a retrospective of Ludwig Blum to London. "The Land of Promise" exhibition will present a selection of paintings, oils and watercolours, from the long and rich career of the Czech born Israeli artist Ludwig Blum (1891-1974). Approximately 40 paintings will be on show.

As reported in the Jewish Chronicle, Ben Uri is seeking to unearth the missing paintings of Blum not just for this landmark exhibition, but to complete the archives of this distinguished artist. Read the article in full.

If you have any information on missing works of Ludwig Blum please contact David Glasser or Suzanne Lewis at the gallery on 020 7604 3991 or email info@benuri.org.uk.

THE LAND OF PROMISE
12 January - 24 April 2011

As the title suggests, Blum painted the Holy Land, Jerusalem, and romantic/Orientalist views of the desert and ancient shrines many times. Blum, who settled in Jerusalem in 1923 also painted the New Palestine, i.e. the Zionist enterprise of settlement and building the country – kibbutzim and the building of Tel Aviv in the pre-state period; and new industries during statehood. This lesser known side of Blum shows he was interested in variety of in landscape themes; not only the ancient Promised Land but also the visionary renewal and work towards fulfilling the dream. Other small sections will show his depictions from the War of Independence and from his visits in the East in the 1930s. Some of the paintings in the exhibition are unique or very rare in Blum's oeuvre and in the history of art in Israel in general.