The document discusses the art of Purim through analyzing paintings and artifacts related to the Purim story in the Book of Esther. It describes paintings by Leonard Baskin from the 1980s that depict characters from the Purim story in vibrant colors and styles. It also mentions 3rd century wall paintings from Dura-Europos showing symbolic figures from the Esther narrative. The document discusses various artistic depictions of Purim from the 18th-20th centuries and traditions associated with celebrating the holiday.

1. THE ART OF PURIM 14 th of Adar, 5770 February 27-March 1, 2010 Myrna Teck, Ph. D. Independent Scholar

24. GROGGER- Russia, 19 TH C. Korn, I. (1996). A Celebration of Judaism in Art . New York: Todtri Rush, B. (2002) The Jewish Year: Celebrating the Holidays. NY: Stewart Taborri & Chang. Silver. The Jewish Museum, New York/Art Resource, NY. Notice that Haman is hung in the roundel of this grogger

26. HAMAN AND HIS TEN SONS -Northern Germany, mid-14 th c. Sassoon Collection, Letchworth, England This image is of Haman and his 10 sons hanging from a gallows Mordecai prepared the gallows A Jewish artist pictured this scene This was the popular tradition in northern Germany, mid-14 th c. This is a page from the De Castro Bible This Bible contains a manuscript of the bible & the 5 Scrolls The weekly portion from the Prophets are included Nathaniel the scribe wrote the Bible Levi ben David vocalized it in January 1344

35. PURIM WALL DECORATION-S ara Eydel Weisssburg Jerusalem, l.19 th c Perforated paper embroidered with wool and silk 67 x53 cm Gift of Mrs. Pearl Schwartz, s1337 One can follow the action as in a comic strip

37. PURIM WALL DECORATION-Maier Schwartz, Vienna, 1929 Printed on paper, mounted on cardboard, 35.9 x 45.7 cm. Gift of Dr. Harry G. Friedman, F 4308

40. SHALACH MANOT -Malcah Zeldis, 1995 McDonough, Y. Z. (1996). Moments in Jewish Life: Folk Art of Malcah Zeldis . NY: Friedman/Fairfax Zeldis used high intensity bright colors in a naïve style She shows the tradition of giving gifts to others The children in the two families wear Purim costumes An elderly man waits for them to join him at the table

50. ESTHER SCROLL- -Corfu, Greece, 1708. Korn, I. (1996). A Celebration of Judaism in Art . NY: Todtri Ink and tempera on parchment; 46 3/4 x 10 1/4 in(120 x 26.5 cm) Israel Museum, Jerusalem Megillah Esther is the only decorated book of the bible Traditionally, human figures are shown throughout Corfu was the apex of the decoration of 18th c., Ketubbot It also was the source of many Esther Scrolls Italian aesthetics influenced their imagery

59. ESTHER SCROLL IN LEATHER CASE -Germany, 1834 Grossman, C. (1989). A Temple Treasury . NY: Hudson Hills Vellum. Height 4 5/8 in. (11.2 cm). Text columns 3 7/16” x 2 5/8” (8.7 x 6.7 cm), 27 lines Case: Leather, covered cardboard, tooled Length 4 ½” (11.5 cm), diameter 1 1/4” (3.2 cm) Inscribed: On the birthday of my beloved husband, Franz Koritschoner, 1832 Gift of Mrs. Louise Brandeis Popper, Maternal Great- Granddaughter of the Original Owner, 1982 (CDD 82-111) This is a “Ha-Melekh” (or “The King”) scroll It was copied so the word “King” opens every column This emphasis is an oblique reference to the King of Kings It was a way of instilling God’s name in the text The scroll is written on vellum It is the skin of an unborn calf or goat It is a much finer surface than parchment It is of much higher quality

64. GREAT MOURNING -Ze’ev Raban, Tel Aviv, 1947 Raban, Z. (1982). Raban Remembered . Yeshiva University Museum Exhibition. NY. “Sinai”, Tel Aviv, publisher Photographed by Allan Rokach Yeshiva University Museum, NY This is an illustration to a Book of Esther (4:3), 1947

69. In the Art World, it is said that the love of: art cannot be TAUGHT It can only be CAUGHT!

70. The Art of Purim contagious to you today! I hope I’ve made