Jewish Texts on the Visual Arts

In this book, Vivian Mann articulates the importance and relevance of Jewish texts to our understanding of art history.

Vivian B. Mann (Edited by)

9780521652179, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 February 2000

258 pages
23.5 x 15.6 x 2.2 cm, 0.52 kg

Review of the hardback: 'This collection of source material is a welcome and useful contribution to the growing literature on Jewish art.' Choice

Jewish texts are a hidden treasure of information on Jewish art and artists, the patronage and use of art, and the art created by non-Jews. Most of these texts are written in Hebrew and Aramaic. Those scholars able to read them often do not understand their art-historical importance, while many art historians who would understand the references to art are hindered by language barriers. Jewish Texts on the Visual Arts includes fifty translated texts dating from the bibilical period to the twentieth century. They touch on issues such as iconoclasm, the art of the 'Other', artists and their practices, synagogue architecture, Jewish ceremonial art, and collecting. Through the introduction and essays that accompany each text, Vivian Mann articulates the importance and relevance of these sources to our understanding of art history.

1. Introduction
2. Iconoclasm
3. The art of the other
4. The synagogue and its decoration
5. Jewish ceremonial art
6. Artists and artistic practices
7. Collecting Jewish art.

Subject Areas: Theory of art [ABA]