“Kites,” Yigal Zemer (b. 1935), 1973 embossed intaglio etching, approx. 30×16 in., pencil-signed, titled, dated, and numbered 23/50.

“Kites,” Yigal Zemer (b. 1935), 1973 embossed intaglio etching, approx. 30×16 in., pencil-signed, titled, dated, and numbered 23/50.

“Kites” (1973) by Israeli artist Yigal Zemer is an embossed intaglio etching that blends architectural realism with sculptural embossing, showcasing Zemer’s signature fusion of structure, light, and minimalism. Signed, titled, dated, and numbered 23/50, this rare early impression reflects the artist’s interest in the urban landscape and spatial geometry. Zemer—whose works are held in major institutions including the Israel Museum, MoMA Haifa, the Library of Congress, the Tel Aviv Museum, and the Bibliothèque Nationale—created this work during his formative New York years while studying printmaking at Pratt Graphic Center. Highly collectible and technically sophisticated, “Kites” is both a historical document and a sculptural print, offering depth, texture, and strong visual contrast.

Description of the Artwork

“Kites” is a striking example of Yigal Zemer’s early 1970s embossed intaglio work—a period defined by his experimentation with inkless embossing, architectural structures, and spatial tension.

The lower register of the print presents a crisp, high-contrast black intaglio rendering of an urban square—likely drawn from Zemer’s observations during his time in New York and Tel Aviv—featuring a prominent church tower and modern lampposts. The etched section displays Zemer’s architectural background: sharp lines, geometric shadows, and expertly modulated textures.

Above this urban scene, the majority of the composition is left white, yet subtly animated by deeply embossed geometric kite-like forms. These raised shapes float across the empty field, creating the illusion of lightness, air currents, and movement. Zemer’s signature sculptural embossing gives the work depth without relying on ink, a hallmark of his printmaking practice.

The duality—dense cityscape below, quiet embossed sky above—reflects Zemer’s recurring artistic themes: the contrast between built space and open space, weight and lift, geometry and atmosphere.

Signed, titled, and dated “Zemer ’73 org’l,” along with an embossed YZ monogram stamp and numbering 23/50, this piece demonstrates the technical rigor and elegant minimalism that established Zemer as an important figure in contemporary Israeli printmaking.

Biography of Yigal Zemer

Yigal Zemer (b. 1935, Israel) is a prominent Israeli painter, sculptor, and printmaker known for his sophisticated integration of architecture and fine art.

Zemer began his formal art education in 1959 at the Avni Institute in Tel Aviv, a central hub for Israeli modernism. He later moved to New York, where he studied printmaking at the Pratt Graphic Center and simultaneously earned a Bachelor of Architecture, a discipline that profoundly shaped his approach to spatial composition, geometry, and structural clarity.

Throughout the 1960s–2000s, Zemer developed a distinct visual language that blends minimalism, sculptural embossing, and architectural logic. His embossed intaglios often incorporate inkless relief, emphasizing light, shadow, and form. His paintings and sculptures follow similar principles, exploring spatial balance and material purity.

Zemer’s work appears in major public collections, including:

• Israel Museum, Jerusalem

• Museum of Modern Art, Haifa

• Tel Aviv Museum of Art

• Minneapolis Museum of Art

• Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

• NYC Public Library

• RCA, Chase Manhattan Bank, IBM & Rockefeller Collections

• Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris

• Dubi Shiff Art Collection, Israel

His exhibitions include:

• Engel Gallery, Tel Aviv (1983)

• Robinson Gallery, NYC (1989)

• Horace Richter Gallery, Jaffa/Tel Aviv (2006)

• Basel, Switzerland (1979)

• Mabat Gallery, Tel Aviv (1974)

• Tel Aviv Museum of Art Biennials (1973, 1975, 2009)

• Israel Museum Group Exhibitions (2006, 2007)

Zemer is also known for large-scale outdoor sculptures and sundials throughout Israel—installations in Ramat Gan, Jerusalem, Netivot, Ra’anana, Beit She’an, and other public sites.

“Kites” represents Zemer’s early period in which he perfected embossing, balancing architectural precision with poetic spatial abstraction.

Yigal Zemer (b. 1935), Kites, 1973. Embossed intaglio etching with inked lower register, approx. 30×16 in. Pencil-signed, titled, dated, monogram-stamped, and numbered 23/50. Excellent impression from a scarce edition.

CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Yigal Zemer (b. 1935)
Title: Kites
Date: 1973
Medium: Embossed Intaglio Etching
Edition: 23/50
Dimensions: Approx. 30 × 16 in.
Signature: Pencil-signed, titled, dated; includes embossed YZ monogram
Provenance: Acquired in NYC; current owner Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC

Provenance Chain

1. Artist: Yigal Zemer, Israel / NYC

2. Early Collector or Gallery: Private/NYC (1970s)

3. Secondary Market Acquisition: New York, date unknown

4. Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC