An exhibition of the work of Avner Katz, Israeli author and book illustrator, is on display in Widener Library through May 25. The exhibition features a rare configuration: the artist's original drawings and paintings are displayed alongside printed versions in published books, offering the viewer an opportunity to compare versions.

This unusual opportunity was made possible by the artist's gift to the Library's Judaica Division of 75 of his original drawings and paintings, and by the Division's collection of the published books illustrated by Katz, assembled as part of the Judaica Division's comprehensive collection of Israeli publications. Captions of the works feature comments by the artist prepared specially for this exhibition. The exhibition was prepared by Violet Gilboa, Littauer Hebraica Technical and Research Services Librarian in Widener's Judaica Division.

One of Israel's leading book illustrators, Katz has illustrated some 150 books for children and adults, has written and illustrated 10 books of his own, and writes and illustrates for newspapers and magazines in Israel. Born in 1939 in Kibbutz Ramat Rachel near Jerusalem, Katz studied at the Bezalel Academy of Art in Jerusalem as well as in London. He has been teaching painting, drawing, and illustration in the creative art department at the University of Haifa since 1978. He is a five-time winner of the Israel Museum's Ben-Itzhak Prize for illustration of children's books.

For further information, contact Charles Berlin or Violet Gilboa, Judaica Division, Widener Library M, (617) 495-2985.