Bidspirit auction | Franz Krausz. Original design for

Franz Krausz. Original design for a poster. The Seven Species - Design for a promotional poster by Franz Krausz. [Land of Israel, 1930s or 1940s]. Gouache on paper, mounted on wooden board. Signed: Krausz. At the center of the design are illustrated the Seven Species, with the verse inscribed at the bottom: ”A land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey.” Approx. 19.5 × 27.5 cm. Mounted on a passe-partout and framed in a new metal frame with glass. Good condition, with minor scuffing. Franz Krausz (1905–1998) was one of the most prominent and influential graphic designers active in the Land of Israel during the pre-state period and the early years of the State of Israel. Born in Vienna, Austria, Krausz was trained in European modernist graphic design and studied at the Academy of Applied Arts in Vienna. With the rise of the Nazis and growing antisemitism across Europe, he immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1934 and settled in Tel Aviv, the city that would become the heart of his artistic activity. After opening an independent graphic design studio, Krausz quickly became a central figure in the country’s cultural and commercial scene. He collaborated with major Zionist institutions, public bodies, commercial companies, and newspapers, creating a visual language that was both innovative and uniquely his own. His posters were characterized by clean lines, precise composition, careful typography, and the use of bold colors and iconic imagery. He had a remarkable ability to translate Zionist, industrial, and cultural ideals into striking, accessible visual messages. One of Krausz’s most famous and enduring designs is the ”Flying Camel” – the official symbol of the Levant Fair in Tel Aviv, which over time became a design icon and emblem of an era. The winged camel, soaring above the landscapes of the East and the Mediterranean Sea, reflected the spirit of pioneering, progress, and vision that the Land of Israel sought to project to the world at that time. Beyond his public work, Krausz designed posters for companies such as Tnuva, El Al, and Koor, and also created stamps, book covers, product labels, and logos. He designed posters for national events, fairs, festivals, and exhibitions, maintaining a consistently high artistic standard and a clear visual message. Krausz’s legacy has not faded over time. His posters have become highly collectible items and are exhibited today in museums, galleries, and private collections in Israel and abroad—including the Israel Museum, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and Beit Ariella. His work is now studied as an integral part of the development of visual culture and design in Israel and continues to inspire generations of designers and artists. Franz Krausz passed away in 1998, but his mark on the visual identity of modern Israeli culture remains deeply embedded in the collective memory.