Rubin Reuven Biography
Reuven Rubin was an Israeli painter of Romanian origin, recognized as a pioneer in the field of Israeli art. Born in 1893 in Galati, Romania, his works are distinguished by the use of bright, earthy colors, as well as the use of simple techniques, which recall the style of the French-Russian artist Marc Chagall, to explore landscapes biblical stories of his homeland, Israel, and its popular history. The artist regularly depicted the countryside and the people who inhabited it, transforming his observations into more fantastical and dreamlike scenes through his unique vision. Rubin was one of the first Israeli artists to gain international recognition. In 1912 he left Palestine, then under Ottoman rule, to study art at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem. Disagreeing with the artistic opinions of his teachers at the Academy, he went to Paris, France, in 1913, to continue his studies at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. During the First World War he returned to Romania, where he spent the years of conflict. In 1921 he traveled to the United States together with his friend and fellow artist Arthur Kolnik, with whom he had shared a studio in Chernivtsi. In New York City, the two met the artist Alfred Stieglitz, who was instrumental in organizing their first American exhibition at the Anderson Gallery. After the exhibition, in 1922, both returned to Europe. In 1923, Rubin emigrated to Mandatory Palestine, where in 1924 he became the first artist to exhibit in a solo exhibition at the Tower of David in Jerusalem. In the same year he was elected president of the Association of Painters and Sculptors of Palestine. In Palestine, Rubin became one of the founders of the new Eretz-Yisrael artistic style. Recurring themes in his work included biblical landscape, folklore, and people, including Yemenis, Hasidic Jews, and Arabs. Many of his paintings depict the sunny landscapes of Jerusalem and Galilee. Rubin may have been influenced by the work of Henri Rousseau, whose style combined oriental overtones, as well as the neo-Byzantine art he had encountered in his native Romania. In keeping with his integrative style, he signed his works with his name in Hebrew and his surname in Latin letters. From the 1930s onwards, Rubin began designing scenes for the Habima Theater, Ohel Theater and other theaters. His 1932 solo exhibition marked the inauguration of the Tel Aviv Art Museum. In 1948 he became the first official Israeli diplomatic envoy (minister) to Romania, a position he held until 1950. Reuven Rubin died on 13 October 1974 in Tel Aviv, Israel. His house was transformed into the "Rubin House" Museum, where all his works are exhibited.
