Reuven Rubin

Israel, b. Romania, 1893–1974
Musicians of Safed 
1957
Oil on canvas
Gift of Jack and Marilyn (z”l) Belz and family, 8598

Born in Galatz (Galati), Romania, Reuven Rubin spent a formative year studying at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris before the outbreak of World War I. Reminiscing upon his time in Paris, Rubin wrote: “I thought, what a wonderful life I would have in Paris, drawing from the Michelangelo casts at the Beaux-Arts … yet this too was but a preparation for my return to Jerusalem” (Rubin, Rubin: My Life, My Art, 78).

Although Rubin relished the artistic training he received in Paris, he yearned to build a permanent life for himself in the land of Israel. He achieved this dream in 1922, when he established a studio in the growing Jewish metropolis of Tel Aviv. Like many of the artists in this section, Rubin was drawn to Safed’s picturesque beauty and cool summer weather. He was particularly inspired by Safed’s Hasidic musicians, a motif he returned to multiple times throughout his career.

Literature:

Rubin, Reuven. My Life, My Art. New York: Funk and Wagnalls, 1969.
Wilkinson, Sarah. Reuven Rubin. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1971.