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Masterworks of The
Jewish Museum Maurice Berger and Joan Rosenbaum |
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This magnificent book explores the
culture, history and beliefs of the Jewish people by presenting an
extraordinary selection of works from the renowned collection of the Jewish Museum
in New York. Ranging from antiquity to the present day, these artworks and
ritual objects include a fourth-century glass vessel and ancient burial
plaques; exquisite Torah decorations and marriage contracts; stunningly
ornate Hanukkah lamps and spice containers; beautiful paintings and prints by
such artists as Moritz Daniel Oppenheim, Marc
Chagall, and Ben Shahn; striking contemporary works
by Leonard Baskin, Sol LeWitt, George Segal,
Richard Avedon, and many others; and selections of
video and still images from television and film, ranging from documentaries
and dramas to situation comedies. Masterworks of The Jewish Museum begins with two complementary
essays: a lively overview of the museum's history by Joan Rosenabum,
documenting the evolution of the collection and the key figures who founded
the institution; and a provocative discussion by Maurice Berger of the
museum's significance within the context of collecting and exhibiting
practices over the past century. The book features a superb range of artworks
grouped thematically into four categories: memory and history; spirituality
and faith; society and politics; and portraiture and identity. Each work is
accompanied by a short essay providing description and interpretation.
Together the reproductions and informative text reveal in fascinating ways
how Jewish culture has evolved through the centuries and across continents. Maurice Berger is Senior Fellow at the Joan Rosenbaum is the Helen Goldsmith Menschel Director at the Jewish Museum. |
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