HUVY'S GALLERY

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Eretz Yisrael Jerusalem Wedding Chassidim Chagim View Flowers

Huvy (Ahuva) Elisha was born in Jerusalem and spent her early years there. Though she spent many years of her life in beautiful places - Vienna, Prague, london and the english countryside, she got her inspiration from Israeli views, mostly Jerusalem and its surrounding mountains. Her style, as a classically european impressionistic and post-imressionistic trained artist, is iconic due to her unique drawings. She never tired of painting Israeli views, ans saw it as her mission to preserve memories of Jewish life in east Europe, before the holocaust. these contents make her stand out among other classic artists of her training. done in pastel, watercolors, pen and oil, Huvy’s paintings stand out in their spiritual aspects, in their bright cheerful landsapes, and the vibrant memories of Jewish chassidic life.

ERETZ ISRAEL

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Samson tearing down the pillars

the heart rending scene of Samson in his last act of valour is caught here with a surreal touch, The golden pillars, the light streaming, Samson small against the great pillars but mighty with his moment unrelenting strength granted to him from God, all come together in an unforgettable painting,

ERETZ ISRAEL

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Abraham in the furnace of fire

The story of Abraham thrown into the furnace of fire comes to life, with Abraham shown up close, high above the masses of unbelievers. The dark background lends atmosphere to this amazing painting and accents the unvanquished faith of our forefather calling out to us from the canvas.

ERETZ ISRAEL

#0102

The twelve spies

The biblical story of the twelve spies sent to tour the land of Israel comes to life. But the spirit of true faith wins over doubt and fear in this painting. the dramatic swirl of light, the dancing movements of the men, the beam of sun from above all come together to say clearly, there is no better place for the Jewish people.

ERETZ ISRAEL

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Moses leading the Jewish people out of Egypt

the iconic painting of Moses, standing before the Jewish people streaming out of slavery in Egypt into the unknown desert, is full of emotion. the threatening desert looming above them, the gleaming light of hope, the bravery of the newly redeemed people becoming a nation

JERUSALEM

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Men walking in Jerusalem

The clear morning sun warms the two elderly men walking the narrow path. Prayer shawls are traditionaly worn on the sabbath, so this is a saturday morning. The peace and calm of the sabbath are prominent in this inspiring work.

JERUSALEM

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The wall of the old city of Jerusalem This dreamy view of the old city of Jerusalem, nestling against the mountainside, is captivating. The ancient city under the harsh Israeli sun softens under Huvi’s brush.

JERUSALEM

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king of Jerusalem

The city of gold is portrayed in soft pastels, very different from Huvy’s usual bold pallet. The angels blow their trumpets as the king of Jerusalem spreads his hands, half flying, half praying, over the golden temple rebuilt.

JERUSALEM

#0203

jerusalem scene

This early stage painting shows the old city and its surroundings as seen from Mt. Zion. Huvy’s dreamy but bold style is already apparent, in the fiery edges of the walls of the city to the olive tree in a dreamy blur, stirred by the wind. ‘Jerusalem is no longer so green, but this is how it must be remembered.

JERUSALEM

#0204

Garden in Jerusalem

Night in Jerusalem

The clever play with colors makes this painting striking. The sky is lit in flames as the sun rises, yet the garden has a light of its own. The sky is as dark green as the garden, and the blooming flowers have the red gleam of sunrise. The magic of Jerusalem is played in full color in this painting

JERUSALEM

#0205

Jerusalem at night

Few have managed to convey the mysterious beauty of Jerusalem onto paper or canvass. The magic of the holy city on the mountain tops has been written and sang and painted so many times, but Huvy seems to say it best of all

JERUSALEM

#0206

The western wall 3

The painting shows the western wall years ago, when the land was still green and not yet built on. But then and now, Jews came to pray at the wailing wall, disregarding the cold or the heat, knowing that here, God is near them.

JERUSALEM

#0207

Jerusalem scene

This early stage painting shows the old city and its surroundings as seen from Mt. Zion. Huvy’s dreamy but bold style is already apparent, in the fiery edges of the walls of the city to the olive tree in a dreamy blur, stirred by the wind. ‘Jerusalem is no longer so green, but this is how it must be remembered.

JERUSALEM

#0208

The western wall 2

The western wall 1

this unusual painting of the western wall, shown in the cold morning sunlight, is done in a refreshing technique. As you focus you come upon more and more details that together form the very special atmosphere of the western wall.

WEDDING

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The wedding violinist

The violinist is shown alone against a dark background, so caught up in his music that he seems to play for himself alone. Yet he plays for the married couple walking towards their new life, half playing, half praying for their success.

WEDDING

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Jewish wedding A jewish wedding is never a simple matter. Every wedding is a triumph over those who wished to destroy us. The overcoming loy portrayed so beautifully here inlays that feeling of starting another Jewish home in the chain of generations that will never end, despite all that the Jewish people have gone through over an exile and persecution of 2000 years.

WEDDING

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bride and groom dance

At the end of a Chassidic wedding, the bride and groom dance together. It is a short and highly moving dance, while the parents and family pray for them to build a happy Jewish home together. They say that the forefathers of the couple watch this dance from heaven and pray for them as well. Perhaps this why the painting shows them at this angle, as if there is another whole level to this scene.

WEDDING

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Bride coming to the wedding canopy

The Jewish bride traditionally walks to the wedding canopy escorted by her mother and father, who both hold candles to light her way. this touching scene is shown from an unusual angle, showing the excitement of the guests and family gathered to celebrate.

WEDDING

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Groom waiting at wedding canopy

the groom awaits his bride while the fiddler plays. The bride is all light, barely to be seen as she approaches, escorted by her mother and the groom’s mother bearing lit candles as is the tradition. The hopes and prayers of the young couple can almost be read out of this riiveting painting.

WEDDING

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The wedding canopy

The guests are the dominant part of this painting, while the canopy itself, formed of a Talit (prayer shawl) is in the background. Perhaps this is to accentuate the heavy weight lying on the couple’s shoulders, to continue the tradition followed for thousands of years and build a proper chassidic home as their perents and forefathers have done for so many years.

WEDDING

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Jewish wedding celebration

This unique painting has an almost naive quality. The lively colors, the ethereal wedding canopy shrouded in light, the Jerusalem-like buildings in the background, all come together to form an unforgetable wedding scene.

WEDDING

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Bride arrives at wedding canopy

The red canopy stands out against the darkening sky and the outpouring joy of the guests and family is almost audible. as the bride arrives the groom steps ahead to welcome her to a beginning of a new life.

CHASSIDIM

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The chassidim dance

Painted in the impressionistic style, this painting conveys a range of feelings. The circle ceases to be a group of joyous men and becomes a being of itself. A holy, uplifting circle of joy, full of gratitude for what God has given and prayer for more good to come. the colors are sombre, perhaps to impress the knowledge that joy is a serious matter in Judaism.

CHASSIDIM

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Chassidic dance

As is characteristic of Huvi, this painting exhibits layers of nuances and emotions. The ecstasy, the joy, the uplifting. The colors are dramatic, the occasion unclear. It seems that the world has stopped for a minute, giving the dancing men the space to be there alone with their joy.

CHASSIDIM

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Chassidic dance blue

The color blue represents purity in Judaism. It reminds us of the sky and the sky reminds us of heaven. perhaps this is why Huvi chose to paint this surreal painting of Chassidic men striving for the heavenly in an ecstatic dance, all in blue. the occasion is a happy one, but the dance is all yearning for God.

CHASSIDIM

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The dancing teacher

The elderly teacher dancing among his young students is an inspiring sight. The stick, usually a symbol of stern discipline, is up in the air in a manner of youth and happiness. The celebration of the holy Tora bring him back to youth, and that magical moment is caught in this riveting painting.

CHASSIDIM

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Chassidic dance brown 2

the ecstasy of the dancing Cchassidim. It runs deeper than mere happiness. the emotions are far more complex, as you can feel in this painting. The violin in the background conveys high notes of sorrow and thankfulness, of joy and pain. Such is Jewish happiness.

CHASSIDIM

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Chassidic dance brown

A Jewish celebration is always a deep, meaningful occasion. The happy occasion is intertwined with prayer, with generations of grandparents looking down from heaven, beseeching God to bestow kindness upon their children. The dancing is joyous, coupled with the hope the chain of generations continues till the end of times.

CHASSIDIM

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Two Chassidim dance to the violin

The dance seems to lift the men off the ground into a world of their own, where there is only the joy and music and the energy of the dance. Chassidic dancing has a deep meaning, of yearning for spirituality, for what is above and beyond us.

CHASSIDIM

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three chassidim dance

The warm golden lighting surrounds the intimate dance of the cchassidim. hands fast, eyes shut, they are so immersed in the moment that their feet seem to lift above the ground. The background suggests a family event, a wedding perhaps.

CHASSIDIM

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The violinist

The iconic Jewish figure of the fiddler is brought to life as the eternal Jew. The Talit (prayer shawl) waving against the darkening sky, the fiddler leaning against the violin that is glowing with a light of its own. The battle of light and darkness is the most fitting background for this figure.

CHAGIM

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King Achashverosh and the scribe

The momentous events of the time of queen Esther are being written. King Achashverosh dominates the scene while queen Esther watches anxiously at the background. The miracles about to take place have not yet happened. perhaps. The scribe is writing and history is rolling its amazing tale.

CHAGIM

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The four species held by the men disclose that this is a Sukkot celebration. Sukkot is the only holiday in which we are commanded to be joyful, and the spontaneous dancing in the holiest of places well portrays the spirit of the holiday in Jerusalem. The ethereal lighting accentuates the atmosphere of joy combined with awe of God. Sukkot at the Western wall

CHAGIM

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Mordecai riding the horse

The most miraculous moment in the scroll of Esther is portrayed here in blazing color and a dramatic effect. Mordecai is triumphant over Haman, and rides the king’s horse to the palace driven by the defeated Haman. The overturning of the tables is brought to life in full color. Huvi rarely paints faces in detail, but here she chose to show the face of mordecai, lit in hope and prayer.

CHAGIM

#0503

Rosh Hashana prayers

The prayers of the high holidays are the spiritual highlight of the year. The artist has masterfully captured the community spirit of yearning for a blessed new year, clear of sin and callousness, but full of spirituality and peace of mind to worship God and enjoy His kindness.

CHAGIM

#0504

The splitting of the red sea

The iconic miracle of the splitting of the red sea is shown here in captivating detail. The Jewish people crossing is shown in accordance with the commentaries that state that each tribe crossed in a path of their own, and the drowing of the egyptian army pursuing them is shown in flaming gold, the agony of their disaster comes to life as the Jewish peole walk towards their dream of becoming the chosen people.

CHAGIM

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Tashlich 2

The ceremony of Tashlich, when the Jewish people cast away their sins into the running water, is the height of Rosh Hashana and a semblance of the wish for a happy new year, clear of sins. the sober coloring, blue to symbolize purity, blends in with the fiery sundown of the year past.

CHAGIM

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Tashlich

this painting is full of life, movement and detail. the sense of life coming to stop as the Jews prepare for the Rosh Hashana ritual to clense their sins and come pure before their creator, is so captivating that it fills you with a range of emotions, from awe to serenity. The child on the boat lends a lightness to the sombre scene.

CHAGIM

#0507

Family around the Chanukkah Menora

The halo of light surrounding the young family, shielding them from the surrounding darkness, radiates emotions of softness and warmth, despite the dark background, the painting brings forward the magick of Chanukkah.

CHAGIM

#0508

King David with fiddle

The kingly figure of David leaning on his fiddle, singing the praise of God into the night, comes to life in this riveting painting. The blue of the king’s robe blends with the blue of ancient Jreusalem’s night and the sensation of yearning overcomes the night and turns into a golden light.

CHAGIM

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Ruth and Boaz in the field

the soft, almost pastel coloring, is the ideal choice for this romantic scene from the book of Ruth. The golden shades of the wheat and the sun give a softness to the glitter of the cloak of Boaz and accentuate the compassion he feels towards the brave young woman collecting wheat in his field.

VIEW

#0600

The olive tree

nothing symbolizes an Israeli landscape better than olive trees. The sturdy, ancient trees with roots that grow deep into the rocky ground, live for thousands of years and bear fruit for hundreds of years. They are indeed a fitting icon for the holy land. This old tree is firmly rooted on the mountainside, welcoming the spring flowers as it sways in the wind.

VIEW

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Olive tree in the wind

Olive orchards are common in Israel, some of them hundreds and even thousands of years old. Here, Huvy conveys the strength of the old olive tree, making it clear how they came to be so iconic of the land of Israel. The tree is shown in full bloom, gently sparkling in the wind. The harsh elements cannot fight against it and it bravely stands its ground, waiting for better days to come.

VIEW

#0602

poppies in bloom

The bright red blooming poppies welcome the short-lived Israeli spring. for a few weeks, they dominate the landscape with the promise of warmer weather, reminding us how short and beautiful life is. Shown here in contrast with the long-lived olive trees, the message is more complex.

VIEW

#0603

The stream

The stream runs calmly, even lazily, its water sparkling as it skips down the stone stairs. Drawn in a realistic style, this painting is full of the calm of nature in its beauty, and the wonder of pure and simple pleasures, as an afternoon in the woods, by the stream.

VIEW

#0604

Man in the wood

It is a Chassidic custom to go into the woods for an hour of pray and thought, in order to reach better communication the Creator. Here Huvy shows us two facets of this time of contemplation: The Chassid reaching enlightenment as he prays, hands spread to heaven, and the man sitting in deep concentration, striving to reach his soul in thought and prayer.

VIEW

#0605

poppies by the Kineret

The blooming of the poppy flowers is one of signs of spring in Israel. Shown here on the banks of the Kineret, sea of galilee, they dominate the beautifully calm view in their bold red even in the pale light of dawn. The coming spring is also noted in the clear, cheery sunrise, typical of an Israeli spring morning.

FLOWERS

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Flowers in vase 2

The cheery disposition of the yellow blooms stands in contrast to the short lifespan of the flowers. As they brighten up the room they already begin to droop, but they do not relent.

FLOWERS

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Flowers in vase 4

Somtimes, flowers can become magical things. As though still containing remnants of sunlight, the yellow blooms seem to glow into the night. A small piece of nature lighting up the home of those lucky enough to collect it.

FLOWERS

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flowers is vase

A beautiful bouquet of flowers in a silver vase, on an elegant table. But Huvy put so much more than these simplistic things in this painting. The flowers seem to lean into the window, yearning for their earth and sun. The slight melancholy of the ending life of the flowers is palatable.

FLOWERS

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Flowers in vase 3

Nature shows its most beautiful side in its blooms. When combined with human-made beauty the result is astounding. Beauty has all sorts of forms and ways, and sometimes a combination is something to pause and enjoy.

FLOWERS

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Poppies on the mountainside.

The bright red of the poppy flowers is the high note of the approaching spring in Israel. The open fields are covered with sheets of bold red poppies, holding their heavy heads high against the winds of the receding winter.

FLOWERS

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Poppy field

Huvy adored the poppy flowers and often painted them, in many variations. Here she shows the bold beauty of the bright red blossoms in their full. The brave red hue, the proud sturdiness, their message of spring coming. Their silent brush against the wind is almost audible.

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