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Michael Gitlin: The 1 Most Famous Paintings, Documented
Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 1 works by Michael Gitlin in our catalogue
Summary
According to this ranking, A Simple Line (1978) is the most famous painting by Michael Gitlin; the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, holds it. This list draws on the 1 works by Michael Gitlin in the catalogue and records the 1 most famous, with date, holding museum and description for each entry.
born 1943, Cape Town
Most works: Israel Museum
Michael Gitlin: top 10 entries of the list
Michael Gitlin: holding museums
The museum that holds the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Michael Gitlin | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Israel Museum |
Jerusalem | 1 | A Simple Line |
Michael Gitlin by year: the most famous paintings
The dated works of Michael Gitlin recorded on this page all date from 1978.
Works per year
Select a year to display its principal paintings.
Michael Gitlin: questions and documented answers
Which Michael Gitlin painting heads the list of most famous works?Display the answer
A Simple Line (1978).
What age had Michael Gitlin reached when A Simple Line was painted?Display the answer
35 years: Michael Gitlin was born in 1943 and A Simple Line is dated 1978.
How many works by Michael Gitlin are recorded?Display the answer
The catalogue records 1 works by Michael Gitlin.
In which collections are Michael Gitlin's most famous works held?Display the answer
Principally in Israel Museum (Jerusalem). The museum table above gives the full distribution.
Michael Gitlin: life and work
The Form and Space of Michael Gitlin
Michael Gitlin is a contemporary sculptor, painter, printmaker, and university teacher. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, his family emigrated to Israel in 1948. His academic background includes studying English Literature and Art History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, alongside studies at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. Gitlin later moved to New York City, where he earned an MFA from the Pratt Institute.
His artistic practice is characterized as abstract and reductive. Gitlin began his career working in three dimensions, utilizing paper as a medium rather than a support, and later transitioned to working with wood. Many of his sculptures are wall pieces that rely on architecture for physical and contextual support. In recent years, his material palette has expanded to include steel wool, copper wire, foam, and black spandex, while drawing remains a demanding component of his project.
Exhibitions and Academic Career
Gitlin's work has been exhibited in numerous international locations, including the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the ICC Antwerp, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. His museum shows have spanned from the Kunsthalle Mannheim to the Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen. His sculptures are held in various prestigious collections, such as the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the British Museum in London.
Throughout his career, Gitlin has held teaching positions at several notable institutions, including: