Jewish art is also popularly known as Judaica, which refers to an array of objects that are used by Jews for mainly ritual purposes. Literary arts are very connected to Judaica. Judaica is also famously produced a tradition of handicrafts and fine arts throughout the earlier Jewish history. In the first century, the Jewish community was found to be spread everywhere from Sardis to the Roman Empire, Ostia, Intercisa, and Hammam-Lif. There were additionally many prosperous Jewish communities in Asia Minor. While building their structures or monuments, the Jewish community often followed the Greco – Roman practice of decorating floors with mosaics. Jewish paintings have deep connections with the Biblical religion.
Judaism is a monotheistic religion that was practiced with the Israelites in the Eastern Mediterranean. During the Middle Ages, which was under Islamic rule, Jewish art was restricted to the illustration of manuscripts. The countries with stronger Muslim communities represented less physical representation of mostly human forms than in Northern European countries. There is another crucial factor that influenced the smaller scope of Jewish art. The Jewish people and Judaica fine art were very familiar with the Biblical stories.
There are many popular Jewish artists of those times, which include illuminated manuscripts and illustrations of King David, Balaam, and Jonah. Additionally, there are illuminated Bibles from the same period of Yemen. But what is unique is that they do not contain the portrayal of human figures.
In western Europe, there was a more significant and higher acceptance of Jewish artists and Jews too. This meant they could practice their art more freely. The 19th and 20th centuries led to the rise of Jewish art and was much more accepted all over. Camille Pissarro was a painter who struggled to remain faithful to his style of painting. Modigliani was an Italian Jewish painter who had settled in Paris. He had a painting style that includes elongated faces that represent African masks.
Jewish artists work with the reality of time like Felix Nussbaum, who is known for this famous artwork “Self Portrait With Jewish Identity Card”. Jewish artists often move from one place to the other in search of inspiration for their amazing artworks. The center for Jewish Art has been sending graduate students and other groups of researchers on documentation programs and trips all over the world. The documentation teams primarily focused on sketching, photographing and detailing sites and structures of the Jewish art.
The significant events of World War 2 and the Holocaust had very long-lasting effects on Jewish art. ” White Crucifixion” is one of the attempts that deals with the devastation and pain of the Holocaust. Artists such as Ben Shahn and Leonard Baskin created works of art that depict the era. Among contemporary artists, there are numerous ways in which they may express their Jewish creativity. Over the years, the paintings and portraits have gained significance and immense popularity. The arts depict deep meanings and translations of the ancient times. Jewish art is still practiced heavily and is being taught as well.
