In the article “Halprin in Israel,” published in a 2012 issue of Landscape Journal, Kenneth Helphand discusses the lifelong relationship that Halprin had with the country that had been so formative to his upbringing and his family’s Jewish identity. Halprin had spend almost three years in Israel before the age of 18, during which time he helped to found the Kibbutz Ein HaShofet near Haifa. Throughout his life, Halprin returned to Israel on multiple trips for both work and family, traveling to the many historical and archaeological sites, and as always, he carried his notebook in hand. Halprin’s Israel drawings, a combination of both professional and emotional study, reflect the changing political, cultural and urban landscape of Israel over a lifetime of visits.
Looking up at the corner of the Har-Habayit Wall from Absalom’s tomb.., 1979
Photocopied drawing, hand-colored with crayon
10 5/8 x 8 1/8 in.
Ancient plantings near Jericho, 1979
Photocopy, ink, and watercolor on paper
10 x 14 in.
Private collection
From Arad - The Road Down to the Dead Sea, 1979
Photocopy, ink, and colored pencil on paper
10 5/8 x 8 1/8 in.
Arab Village Below Mt. Scopus Looking Towards the Dead Sea, 1979
Photocopy, ink, and colored pencil on paper
8 x 10 1/2 in.
“Sabra” plant, 1979
Photocopied drawing, hand-colored with crayon
10 5/8 x 8 1/8 in.
Studies for pedestrian gate into Jewish Quarter, 1979
Photocopied drawing, hand-colored with crayon
10 5/8 x 8 1/8 in.
Beth Shean cult stands 11 cent. BCE, 1979
Photocopied drawing, hand-colored with watercolor
10 1/2 x 8 in.
Nebi Salach, Tomb Area for Bedouins, 1979
Photocopy, ink, and colored pencil on paper
10 1/2 x 8 in.
Early Morning - Mt. Zion from My Window at Mishkenot, 1979
Photocopy, ink, and colored pencil on paper
10 5/8 x 8 1/8 in.