Papercut "Mizrah" by Yehudit Shadur. Israel, 1981.
Yellowish papercut on blue background, depicting the Temple Mount in a schematic style, surrounded by Turrets and towers, and two lions. Outer frame composed of vine tendrils and grape clusters, with two birds; interwoven with various verses and inscriptions: at the top appear the verses "our feet were standing within your gates, O Jerusalem" and "the built-up Jerusalem is like a city that was joined together within itself" (Tehillim 122:2-3). Bellow them, just above the Dome of the Rock – "I bring up Jerusalem at the beginning of my joy" (Tehillim 137:6).
On both sides of the papercut appear the acronyms "Smu"t" [Sur MeRa Ve’aseh Tov – Shun evil and do good] and "Atl"s." [Ach Tov L’Yisrael, Selah – Truly God is good to Israel].
At the bottom: "Mitzad Zeh Ruach Chaim" [from this direction comes the spirit of life] flanked by two additional verses: "request the welfare of Jerusalem" and "may there be peace in your wall, tranquility in your palaces" (Tehillim, 122:6-7).
Signed at bottom in initials (papercut) and in pencil, in Hebrew and English. Dated 5742 / 1981.
45.5X38 cm. Frame: 62X53.5 cm. Good condition. Artist’s business card affixed to verso of frame, with a handwritten description of the work. Unexamined out of frame.
