Couple at Dusk (M.972), Lithograph, 117.2X75.4 cm. Signed and numbered 27/50.
Collection of Rubin and Faigie Zimmerman, Israel.
Rubin and Faigie Zimmerman are among the most prominent and inspiring figures in the Israeli collecting and philanthropic community. Over many decades, the couple demonstrated a profound commitment to culture, education, healthcare, and social welfare in Israel, combining a genuine passion for art with a broad public vision and a lasting impact on society. Living and working between Canada and Israel, the Zimmermans succeeded in building cultural and human bridges between communities, making support for major Israeli institutions an integral part of their public activity. They were among the significant benefactors of some of Israel’s leading cultural and academic institutions, including the Israeli Opera, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Tel Aviv University, and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. At the same time, they devoted considerable effort and resources to humanitarian and social causes, supporting a wide range of organizations and initiatives in healthcare and welfare. Faigie Zimmerman was particularly distinguished for her philanthropic and community work. Among her many initiatives, she founded the Aryeh Yehuda Israel Foundation, established to advance educational, cultural, and community-oriented goals while continuing a tradition of philanthropy and civic engagement. The foundation became a further expression of the couple’s worldview — one that regarded culture, education, and community support as essential to creating a strong and thriving society. Alongside their public activities, the Zimmermans assembled one of the finest and most significant private art collections seen in Israel. Their collection is regarded as one of the most important private collections of Israeli art. It includes rare and exceptional works by some of the most influential artists in the history of Israeli art, among them Mordecai Ardon, Reuven Rubin, and Nachum Gutman. The works were acquired with great care during the 1960s and 1970s, a period considered pivotal in the development of the Israeli art market. Their selections reflected not only remarkable connoisseurship but also a deep understanding of the cultural and artistic significance of these artists and their role in shaping Israeli identity through art.