Description
Studies on early modern synagogue paintings in Poland, Moravia (today in the Czech Republic), and Franconia (Today in south-eastern Germany) noted potential textual sources for the painted motifs. Among these are biblical stories, Midrashim, Kabbalistic ideas, and popular literature. At times, more than one source was suggested to decipher a single painted motif since the different genres were intertwined and shared similar themes. This paper presents the topic of alchemy as an additional possible textual source for synagogue paintings. Alchemy was widely known and popular in early modern Europe. Apart from its material aspect, it included the notion of an internal effort to transcend the individual and world, hence, redemption – a primary theme in synagogue paintings. Alchemy texts share motifs with Kabbalah (for example, the Ouroboros, which symbolizes the Leviathan in the Kabbalah and the perpetual inner work in alchemy) and Midrash (where the unicorn, for example, could represent self-sacrifice, and both the prima materia and process in alchemy). Therefore, considering alchemy as an additional textual source for selected synagogue paintings can enhance our understanding of their messages and symbolism.| Period | 18 Mar 2023 |
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| Event title | 12th EAJS congress: Branching out: Diversity of Jewish Studies |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Frankfurt am Main, GermanyShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |