The 3000th Anniversary
of Jerusalem, City of David
A Tapestry by Leah Gropen

November 5 through December 23, 1998

Leah Gropen, "The 3000th Anniversary of Jerusalem, City of David", 1996.
Various fabrics on cotton backing, 84 x 168"
Lent by the artist

Charlottesville textile artist Leah Gropen created this seven-foot high by fourteen-foot long cloth tapestry over an eight-year period. In bright color and symbolic imagery it celebrates the sieges, destructions, and rebuildings of the city of Jerusalem in its three-thousand-year history. Its history interweaves that of three world religions -- Judaism, Christianity, Islam -- here represented by bright red tulips, each with a different stylized blossom and leaf. Extending along the lower portion of the tapestry, they mark the passage of time as they describe events related to the city from 1000 BCE to 2000 CE.

Gallery Talk by Leah Gropen
Thursday, November 5, 12 noon
in the Museum


Reception
Friday, November 6, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
in the Museum

Many fabrics and sewing techniques are employed in this appliqué textile. Two skilled sewers, Susan Garfinkel Mills and Mary Pat Glover, assisted Leah Gropen in completing the project by the city's anniversary year of 1996. The tapestry has been shown in many churches and synagogues since its completion and is here presented to honor the Nobel Peace Prize Conference held at the University November 5 and 6.

Images and Text Copyright, 1997
The Rector and Visitors
of the University of Virginia
Charlottesville

Bayly Art Museum
University of Virginia, Rugby Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
804-924-3592