Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, James Snyder, the director of Israel Museum, said the oldest object in the exhibition would be a mask that is more than 9,000 years old. Among the other artifacts will be some of the Dead Sea Scrolls that have never before been outside of the Israel Museum's walls, he added.
The exhibition jumps forward to the 1600s, with paintings of the prophets by Rubens. These are followed by works by Chagall and Rodin, as well as Rothko. The contemporary artists Wallinger and Boltanski round out the exhibition, Snyder said.
Aliza Bin-Noun, Israel's ambassador to Hungary, said it was of utmost importance to show Israel in its entirety, beyond the conflicts, and tools of culture provide an excellent means to do just such a thing.
Museum of Fine Arts director László Baán said the idea for the exhibition was formed with Snyder at an international meeting of museum directors.
The exhibition, which runs from June 19 until September 6, 2009, is sure to attract many foreign visitors, said Minister of Education and Culture István Hiller. He added that there was a good chance an outstanding exhibition from Russia could soon be seen in the Museum of Fine Arts.
Source: Múlt-kor
