Yaacov Agam was born in 1928 in Mandate, Palestine, which is now Rischon LeZion, Israel. His father was a rabbi, Talmudic scholar, and Kabbalist. He attended the New Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts in Jerusalem. Agam was recognized for his accomplishments in drawing, but sought to reach a more spiritual approach with an inspiration that was rooted in his upbringing and exposure to the ideas surrounding Hebrew mysticism. When asked about the purpose of his work, he stated: "