Early Israeli Artists: Gutman, Rubin, and Bezalel
“So what was the Orange Peel Path like?” “Which path?” asks the lad.
“Orange peel.”
“Which peel?”
“Orange.”
“Ah! You call it ‘the Orange Peel Path’?”
I tell him “yes,” and in my heart, I wonder how to explain that this was no ordinary path, that today it is more like a symbol for me. A symbol of deeds that can and should be done.” – The Orange Peel Path; Adventures from the Early Days of Tel Aviv, by Nachum Gutman
Gutman and Rubin: Painting the Spirit of a New Nation
At the dawn of the 20th century, waves of Jewish pioneers arrived in Palestine, inspired by the Zionist dream of resurrecting an independent Jewish state. Decades before the Holocaust, waves of pogroms and rising anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe underscored the urgent need for a Jewish homeland. Upon arrival, these pioneers faced a barren, unyielding land and immense challenges—harsh environmental conditions, financial struggles, and escalating hostility from the local Arab population in the 1920s.
Despite these adversities, their determination and Zionist ideals helped them transform the land and realize their vision. This spirit of resilience, optimism, and connection to the land was powerfully captured by artists Nahum Gutman and Reuven Rubin, who became key figures in shaping the cultural identity of the emerging Jewish state.
Their art radiated a sense of childlike simplicity and fairytale richness, portraying the light, colors, and landscapes of the new homeland. The panoramic scenes of daily life they painted—villages, workers, shepherds, and coastal views—reflected not just the physical beauty of the land but also the collective hopes and aspirations of its people.
As I reflect on their work, I can’t help but think about my own connection to Israel—the land of my birth. My memories are not of pioneers plowing the earth, but of vast, almost uninterrupted sand dunes stretching from our apartment building to the shore—a two-mile expanse that, within just a few years, was swallowed by apartment complexes and roads. What was once an open landscape, wild and untouched, quickly became a cityscape, a transformation I witnessed in real-time.
Gutman and Rubin’s paintings are not just historical artifacts to me; they are echoes of a time when personal and national identity was still being shaped. They capture a sense of belonging, something I have sought in my own artistic and personal journey—across continents, across time, and across the changing landscapes of memory.
Nahum Gutman: Art as Storytelling
Nahum Gutman (1898–1980), born in Romania, immigrated to Israel at the age of seven and grew up in Tel Aviv, then a fledgling city of white houses, golden sands, and vibrant skies. These elements became a central theme in Gutman’s work, embodying the youthful optimism of the city and its pioneers.
Gutman studied at the Bezalel Academy of Arts in Jerusalem before continuing his education in Vienna, Berlin, and Paris. Influenced by the European modernist movements, including Expressionism and Fauvism, Gutman developed a unique style that combined European techniques with local inspiration.
His works from the 1920s, including Lunch Rest, The Carrier of the Wheat, and Goat Shepherd, depicted local Arab laborers in pastoral scenes. These paintings reflect a blend of primitive-naive art and Expressionism, characterized by simplified forms, bold color contrasts, and a sense of raw authenticity. The figures in these works exude strength and confidence, symbolizing a deep connection to the land.
I picture Gutman as a young boy, wandering the sandy streets, absorbing every detail—moments that would later find their way onto his canvas. I did the same, though my landscapes were different. I wandered the Judean Desert, scaling its hills, listening to the silence. Perhaps that’s why Gutman’s paintings resonate so deeply with me—they are visual echoes of youth shaped by Israel’s evolving landscapes.
Beyond painting, Gutman was also a prolific writer and illustrator, particularly of children’s books. His art often carried a narrative quality, merging his talents as a storyteller and visual artist. Gutman’s legacy is a vivid tapestry of Israel’s formative years, filled with beauty, resilience, and a deep connection to the land.