This exhibition is a comprehensive retrospective of the work of Ranan Lurie, one of the world's leading political caricaturists. Ever since his caricatures first appeared in 1948 in the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot, Lurie's work has provided mordant criticism and satirical commentary on world events. Lurie initially worked in Israel as a satirical commentator and caricaturist for the army and air force bulletins, and for the newspapers Yediot Aharanot and Ma'ariv. In the United States, Lurie first worked at Life magazine. He has since worked for leading newspapers and television networks, and has resided in various countries - including England, Germany, Switzerland and Japan.
His caricatures, which are published worldwide, are renowned for their enduring relevancy and ability to convey profound ideas in a language accessible to a vast array of different cultures.
The exhibition also features the "Curtain of Napoleon," which was purchased from Lurie's grandfather. This type of ritual curtain, which is traditionally used in synagogues to cover the Torah scrolls kept within the ark, was in the possession of the Lurie family since the beginning of the 18th century. According to family tradition, the curtain was given to Lurie's great-great grandfather by Napoleon, in appreciation of his assistance during the Napoleonic retreat from Russia. The pattern embroidered on the curtain is the same as the one that appears on the back of Napoleon's coronation gown.