89 The Bergman Residence

Architect: Al (Alfred) Mansfeld, the 1970’s

A rare opportunity to visit the home of Charlotte Bergman, who was one of the Israel Museum’s major benefactors. The house is located on the Museum campus and was designed to be an integral part of it.  Teddy Kollek, Jerusalem’s legendary mayor, initiated the construction of the house and it was custom built for Mrs. Bergman. From an architectural perspective, it translates the Museum’s construction language into household uses. The interior design was influenced by Mrs. Bergman’s home in New York, and the house is replete with original works by Braque, Chagall, Dufy, Moore, Picasso, Calder, Maillol, and other artists. It also contains furniture, artifacts and jewelry that Charlotte collected during her numerous trips around the world, some of which she took with her husband Louis who died in 1955. In its heyday, the house served as a literary and art salon that hosted intellectuals and men and women of the arts.

Since Charlotte’s death in 2002 (at the age of 98), the Museum has continued to honor her wish that the house be kept exactly as it was – namely, the home of a late 20^th century art collector – just like the period rooms in the Museum.

The tours will be led by the curator, Dr. Adina Kamien. and Oren Mayers.