Flowers, Mane Katz

Flowers
State Medal

The sculpture "The Double-Bass Player" is one of the series of 'Jewish Musicians" by Mane-Katz, who began sculpting at age 46 in plaster, and later moved to bronze. The painting "Vase of Flowers" is among the favorite subjects of Mane-Katz's paintings. In strong, dramatic colors, the artist depicts giant flowers which fill nearly the entire canvas. Mane-Katz was born in the Ukraine in 1894. Until age 16 he learned in a "heder" and yeshiva in his birthplace. Later, he studied in the Vilna School of Art and in the art academy in Kiev. In 1913 he spent a year in Paris, and returned there in 1921. During World War II he lived in the United States. His favorite theme is the Hasidic world. He visited Israel frequently and died in Tel Aviv in 1962.

Obverse: Colored, framed lithograph "Vase of Flowers". The words "FESTIVE FLOWERS" in English and "speak to me with flowers" in Hebrew. The artist's name in Hebrew

Reverse: Relief of the sculpture "The Double-Bass Player at a Jewish Wedding". In Hebrew, the words "the tune returns" and in English, "Mazel Tov", arranged as notes on a staff. The artist's signature

Edge: State emblem; "STATE OF ISRAEL' in Hebrew on the right and English on the left with serial number. On the 26 mm. silver medal, "S 999.9"; on the 50 mm. silver medal, "S 999"; on the 24 mm. gold medal, "G 750" in Hebrew and English; and on the 38 mm. gold medal, "G-916.6" in Hebrew and English

Designer: Yitzhak Bibas using the works of Mane-Katz. Lithography and color separation - David Tamerin

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