Captured by an Artist's Brush
A Bygone Era
Captured by an Artist’s Brush
O
The Rabbi’s Blessing,1871, oil on canvas
ne hundred years before Jewish life in Germany was obliterated, its resplendent culture was chronicled in the artistic works of Moritz Daniel Oppenheim (18001882). Born in the Jewish ghetto of Hanau, Oppenheim is considered by many art historians to be the greatest Jewish genre painter of his time. His exceptional talent was recognized by the age of 10, and he became the first Jewish painter to receive classical academic training. Oppenheim was most celebrated as a portraitist, and his depictions of the Jewish personalities of his day documented the “emancipated” Jewish bourgeoisie; the Rothschild family was his primary patron. Recognized in the non-Jewish world as well, Oppenheim’s commissions included the portraits of emperors, members of parliament and noted intellectuals. Scenes fromTraditional Jewish Lifewere the product of Summer 5761/2001
Oppenheim’s later years, and drew on memories of his youth. Images include Shabbat and holiday scenes focusing on the importance of family in celebrating and transmitting Judaism. They provide us today with a heartwarming and richly detailed glimpse of daily religious life of that era. Yeshiva University Museum is sponsoring the only U.S. presentation of Moritz Daniel Oppenheim: Jewish Identity in Nineteenth Century A rt, an exhibit organized by the Judisches Museum der Stadt Frankfurt am Main. It opened on January 30 and will be on display until August 31, 2001, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thursday 11a.m. – 8 p.m. Yeshiva University Museum is in the Center for Jewish History at 15 West 16th Street in New York City. For information, call (212) 294-8330. (Continued on next page) JEWISH ACTION
Mourning 1876, oil on cardboard, grisaille
Self-portrait1822, oil on canvas The Return of theVolunteer 1867-69, oil on canvas A soldier visits his observant family on Shabbat.
Yahrzeit Minyan in the Militar y 1875, oil on canvas
Summer 5761/2001
JEWISH ACTION
Sabbath Rest, 1866, oil on canvas
The Sukkah,before 1838, oil on canvas
Purim, 1872, oil on canvas
Hallel 1876, oil on cardboard, grisaille
Summer 5761/2001
JEWISH ACTION
Captured by an Artist’s Brush
O
The Rabbi’s Blessing,1871, oil on canvas
ne hundred years before Jewish life in Germany was obliterated, its resplendent culture was chronicled in the artistic works of Moritz Daniel Oppenheim (18001882). Born in the Jewish ghetto of Hanau, Oppenheim is considered by many art historians to be the greatest Jewish genre painter of his time. His exceptional talent was recognized by the age of 10, and he became the first Jewish painter to receive classical academic training. Oppenheim was most celebrated as a portraitist, and his depictions of the Jewish personalities of his day documented the “emancipated” Jewish bourgeoisie; the Rothschild family was his primary patron. Recognized in the non-Jewish world as well, Oppenheim’s commissions included the portraits of emperors, members of parliament and noted intellectuals. Scenes fromTraditional Jewish Lifewere the product of Summer 5761/2001
Oppenheim’s later years, and drew on memories of his youth. Images include Shabbat and holiday scenes focusing on the importance of family in celebrating and transmitting Judaism. They provide us today with a heartwarming and richly detailed glimpse of daily religious life of that era. Yeshiva University Museum is sponsoring the only U.S. presentation of Moritz Daniel Oppenheim: Jewish Identity in Nineteenth Century A rt, an exhibit organized by the Judisches Museum der Stadt Frankfurt am Main. It opened on January 30 and will be on display until August 31, 2001, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thursday 11a.m. – 8 p.m. Yeshiva University Museum is in the Center for Jewish History at 15 West 16th Street in New York City. For information, call (212) 294-8330. (Continued on next page) JEWISH ACTION
Mourning 1876, oil on cardboard, grisaille
Self-portrait1822, oil on canvas The Return of theVolunteer 1867-69, oil on canvas A soldier visits his observant family on Shabbat.
Yahrzeit Minyan in the Militar y 1875, oil on canvas
Summer 5761/2001
JEWISH ACTION
Sabbath Rest, 1866, oil on canvas
The Sukkah,before 1838, oil on canvas
Purim, 1872, oil on canvas
Hallel 1876, oil on cardboard, grisaille
Summer 5761/2001
JEWISH ACTION
