Jewish Texts on the Visual Arts

Jewish texts are a hidden treasure of information on Jewish art and artists, the patronage and use of art, and the art created by non-Jews. Most of these texts are written in Hebrew and Aramaic. Those scholars able to read them often do not understand their art-historical importance, while many art historians who would understand the references to art are hindered by language barriers. Jewish Texts on the Visual Arts includes fifty translated texts dating from the bibilical period to the twentieth century. They touch on issues such as iconoclasm, the art of the 'Other', artists and their practices, synagogue architecture, Jewish ceremonial art, and collecting. Through the introduction and essays that accompany each text, Vivian Mann articulates the importance and relevance of these sources to our understanding of art history.

• Nearly all of the texts were written in foreign languages and had never before been translated
• Each chapter is an independent unit devoted to a specific theme, e.g. artists and their practices, that is discussed through texts dating from antiquity to the twentieth century
• Each text is accompanied by an essay explaining its import for art history