Bergner

Yosl Bergner – Klezmer and Angels
Oval State Art Medal 2004/5765.

Yosl Bergner, one of the most important Israeli artists, winner of the Israel Prize and the Dizengoff Prize, is a representative of Israeli Surrealism. “Klezmer and Angels” was created especially for the Israel Government Coins & Medals Corp. A section of the painting has been integrated into the medal which was designed by Meir Eshel, in coordination with the artist.

The central figure in the picture is the Jewish fiddler whose Klezmer tunes “open the gates of heaven”, combining sadness with an exuberant joy of life.

Obverse: Raised area in the shape of a violin with inlaid colored lithograph. Beneath the lithograph, "Klezmer and Angels" in Hebrew and "Klezmer" in English and, to the left, the artist's signature in Hebrew.

Reverse: A flute-player hovering in the air and a goat, with houses in the background, one of the artistic creations of Yosl Bergner. To left, the artist's signature.

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL" inscribed in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left; the serial number and metal.

Designer: Meir Eshel based on a creation of Yosl Bergner.

Lithography: Eli Grebel.

Engraving: Tidhar Dagan

Mint: Gold – Israel Coins and Medals Corporation.Silver and Bronze – Hecht, Tel Aviv.