ARTIST: Mel Crawford (Canadian, Connecticut, 1925 - 2015)
NAME: Israel
YEAR: 1983
MEDIUM: mixed media on board
CONDITION: Excellent.
SIGHT SIZE: 14 x 12 inches / 35 x 30 cm
BOARD SIZE: 17 x 15 inches / 43 x 38 cm
SIGNATURE: lower right
NOTE: This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the U.N. 20c Israel Flags of the U.N. Series stamp issued September 23, 1983. Although the people of this nation claim a history that dates back to biblical times, the Middle Eastern country of Israel is relatively young -- and is solving the problems of a new nation. In spite of poor natural resources, the economy of Israel has grown tremendously during the second half of the twentieth century. The Israeli people are meeting the challenges of today, a fact which is especially evident in the large, expanding cities of this ambitious nation. Spreading to the edge of the Mediterranean Sea is the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo . . . which is the country's busiest and largest city. Where the arid, scorching sands once ruled, now rows of modem apartment buildings reach high into the crystal azure of the desert sky. However, the Israeli interest in the modern world has not caused them to forget their past and their religious beliefs. The modern capital of Jerusalem is considered a holy city by several major world religions. Followers of the Jewish faith consider Jerusalem a holy city because it was their political and religious center during biblical times. Christians remember that Jesus was crucified here, and many other events of his life took place in and around Jerusalem. Muslims believe that the founder of Islam - Muhammed - rose to heaven from Jerusalem. With a deep commitment to the past and present, Israelis have great faith in their country and in themselves.
PROVENANCE: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
CATEGORY: antique vintage painting
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SKU#: 121558
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BIOGRAPHY:
Mel Crawford was a Canadian-American children's book illustrator and comics artist. He drew horror and fantasy comics for Western Publishing, but is best known for adapting various child-oriented media into beautiful children's books. Crawford was so good in adapting the graphic style of other artists that he became a much sought-after illustrator. He worked for various different film and TV companies and made books starring some of the most popular fictional characters of the 20th century, from Disney and Hanna-Barbera to Jim Henson Productions.