Blossom of Galilee

Blossom of Galilee
State Medal, 5747-1987

Blossom of Galilee, a painting which reflects love for the Land of Israel and admiration for the small town Safed, the town of Jewish mystics, set in the mountains of Galilee, with its white houses and alluring beauty of pomegranates ripening on the branch. These themes are interwoven in simple and natural harmony in the works of Nachum Gutman, one of the artists who brought about a Renaissance in modern Israel. Nachum Gutman, son of the writer S. Ben Zion, was born in 1898. He grew up together with the newly-born city of Tel Aviv, absorbing its bright lights, sand dunes and the special atmosphere of a city developing out of the sand. Throughout his lifetime, his works were prolific and varied, including illustrations, oil paintings, graphic art, sculptures, large mosaic drawings, children's stories and others. Innocence and the joy of life in the developing State radiate from his works. Gutman died in 1980 at the age of 82.

Obverse: Lithograph in color of a part of the painting "Blossom of Galilee" by Nachum Gutman. The words "Blossom of Galilee" in Hebrew and the artist's signature:

Reverse: A graceful girl, a fawn, a tree with doves on its branches: (Nachum Gutman's illustration of the legend "Sheloshah VeArba'ah" taken from Bialik's "Vayehi Hayom"), the words "My beloved is mine" Song of Songs, (Bialik) and the artist's signature:

Edge: The emblem of the State of Israel. The words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English. The metal content of the gold and silver medals.

Designer: Yizhak Bibas, using the painting of Nachum Gutman. Chromist - David Tamerin.

Mint: Gold and silver 26mm - The Government Mint Silver 50mm - Kretschmer Bronze - Hecht