Boris Schatz was a Lithuanian-Jewish sculptor and educator who played a pivotal role in the development of Israeli art.
Often referred to as the "father of Israeli art," his most significant contribution was founding the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts
(now the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design) in Jerusalem in 1906.
Early Life and Education
Born in Varniai, Lithuania (then part of the Russian Empire), Schatz initially studied in a traditional Jewish yeshiva before pursuing art.
He later received formal art training in Warsaw and then at the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris, where he studied under sculptor Mark Antokolski.
Career Highlights
Served as the royal sculptor to King Ferdinand of Bulgaria in the 1890s
Founded Bezalel School in Jerusalem (1906) with the vision of creating a distinctly Jewish and later Israeli style of art
Pioneered the concept of "Hebrew style" art that combined Jewish themes with Art Nouveau and Middle Eastern influences
Created numerous sculptures and reliefs depicting biblical themes and Jewish historical figures
Organized the first Bezalel exhibition that toured Europe and America (1914-1915)
Legacy
Schatz's vision for Bezalel went beyond art education—he sought to establish workshops that would provide employment for Jewish
immigrants while creating decorative art objects that merged Eastern and Western aesthetics.
His efforts laid the foundation for Israel's artistic identity and crafts industry.
The Bezalel Museum collection he established eventually formed the core of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
Schatz died during a fundraising trip to the United States in 1932, leaving behind a profound impact on Israeli cultural development.
His integration of Jewish identity with contemporary art movements helped establish a visual language for the emerging
Jewish state and influenced generations of Israeli artists
