“The Four Sons of Chevra Keren HaYesod.” Hebrew text. Designed by Nachum Gutman, after his Passover Hagadah.

AUCTION 65 | Thursday, June 25th, 2015 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Ceremonial Objects and Graphic Art

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Lot 200
(ISRAEL, STATE OF).

“The Four Sons of Chevra Keren HaYesod.” Hebrew text. Designed by Nachum Gutman, after his Passover Hagadah.

Minor tears on creases, no loss of text. Framed. 24 x 37 inches.

Circa 1955:

Est: $1,000 - $1,500
PRICE REALIZED $1,200
Published by Keren HaYesod, the central fundraising organization for Israel, this image by Nachum Gutman (1898-1980), cleverly utilizes the Passover Seder liturgy as metaphor of the Four Sons as four perspectives and attitudes towards the organization and the need to make financial contributions to sustain it. For example, the Wise Son responsibly asks “What are the immediate needs of the day?” The Wicked Son presents the selfish perspective: “Why work so hard.” To which the responses are: “Like citizens of all other nations, Jews must pay a national tax… If most Israelis had your attitude we may not have been saved so frequently.”