In 2025, the Israel Museum marks its 60th anniversary with a series of exhibitions that reflect its mission to connect ancient history with contemporary art. One of the highlights is The Medium and the Message: Six Centuries of Printmaking, a comprehensive survey that showcases over 200 works from the museum’s permanent collection. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore how printmaking has evolved from a tool for reproduction to a powerful medium of artistic expression and social commentary.
The journey begins with the intricate engravings of Albrecht Durer and the emotive etchings of Rembrandt, whose works set the foundation for the expressive potential of prints. The exhibition then moves through the bold lines of Goya, the geometric abstractions of Picasso, and the fluid forms of Matisse, illustrating the diverse ways artists have utilized printmaking to convey complex ideas and emotions.
A significant aspect of the exhibition is its focus on female artists, such as Kathe Kollwitz, Louise Bourgeois, Kiki Smith, and Orit Hofshi. Their works not only contribute to the richness of the collection but also highlight the evolving role of women in the art world and their impact on the medium of printmaking.
Among the 200+ works on display, 21 are being shown to the public for the first time, including complete series that have remained in the museum’s archives. These newly revealed pieces offer fresh insights into the artists’ creative processes and the historical contexts in which they were produced.
This exhibition is part of a broader celebration of the Israel Museum’s 60th anniversary, which includes eight new exhibitions that opened in mid-May 2025. These exhibitions reflect the museum’s commitment to showcasing the diversity of its collection and its vision of connecting Israel’s ancient history with contemporary art.
As visitors explore The Medium and the Message, they are invited to consider how printmaking, as a medium, has not only captured moments in time but also influenced the way we perceive and understand the world around us.
