The Israel Museum, Jerusalem – Until 15 February 2026

Human beings tend to invoke divine powers when seeking insight into the future or inspiration in their creative endeavors. In European art, familiar tropes include the depiction of heroic figures from different eras – the Sybils of ancient Greece, Jewish prophets, Christian saints, kings, poets, artists – lifting their gaze to the heavens or poring over a thick volume.

 In this exhibition, inspiration appears in all its guises in paintings, drawings, and prints from the Low Countries, Italy, and France, spanning the sixteenth to the second half of the twentieth century. Enhancing the display are several works by contemporary Israeli artists from the Museum’s collection, which were created as tributes to European art.   

 Link to the Exhibition