Shamir Brothers Posters: the designers of Israel’s Symbol

The Farkasg Gallery is pleased to present our collection of Vintage Israeli posters designed by the iconic Shamir Brothers.

Gabriel and Maxim Shamir were among the most influential designers in the history of Israel. Their creations were an inseparable part of young Israel and laid the foundations for a common Israeli identity necessary for the establishment of the state. Perhaps their most well-known work is the symbol of the State of Israel they designed in 1949, but their creations spanned a long period and served as a mirror reflecting the fateful years before the establishment of the state and the first four decades of its existence.

Gabriel and Maxim Shamir, both graduates of the School of Arts in Berlin, founded the Shamir Brothers Studio in 1933 in Latvia. In 1935, the studio moved with them to Tel Aviv and operated until 1974. Whether in national or commercial works, their creations consistently reflected the ideology of the Zionist movement. The Shamir brothers designed various official materials and were frequently enlisted to convey institutional messages that addressed the needs of the time. This included creating war bonds and fundraising posters for the War of Liberation in 1948, recruitment posters for the IDF, posters in celebration of Independence Day, and many more.

Gabriel and Maxim Shamir’s contributions to Israeli graphic design and national identity are monumental. Through their visionary work, they shaped the aesthetic of a young nation and fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose. Their legacy will always be connected to the Israeli spirit and remain a testament to the formative years of Israel, reflecting the hopes, dreams, and struggles of a nation in the making.