Narrative imagery: Artists' portfolios by Helzel, Florence B - 1991-01-01

Judah L. Magnes Museum, 1991-01-01. Paperback. Very Good. Judah L. Magnes Museum [Published Date: 1991] Soft cover, 111 pp. Catalog published in conjunction with the exhibition of the same name. Contents include: Foreword by Seymour Fromer; Preface; Introduction; Portraits and Cityscapes: Two Portfolios by Hermann Struck by Jane Levy; Catalog; Index of Artists. In very good condition. Cream illustrated paper covers have light bumping to edges and corners and light overall scuffing. Binding tight. Pages clean and unmarked. NOT Ex-Library. NO remainder marks. [From Preface] Dr. Ernest Naményi, an eminent art historian specializing in the study of Jewish art, considered the continuous narrative in art to be the "great contribution of the Jewish genius to the art of the western world." He meant that Jewish art, like Jewish religion, expresses the process of becoming. As he explained in his book he Essence of Jewis Art: "In order to make an action understandable in its unfolding, one can not remain content with representing only an isolated scene. . . . It is therefore in a continued action, a true sign of divine reality, that we must seek the subject to be represented." The portfolio uniquely allows for both the development of a theme and the transmission of the full impact that a series of images can provide. It allows the artist to unfold a story, to interpret a biblical passage, or to present the full range of an experience or event. As the first exhibit and catalog of its type, Narrative Imagery: Artists Portfolios follows in the tradition of innovation and scholarship that characterizes the work of the Print and Drawing Department of the Magnes Museum and its curator, Florence Helzel. She has brought us to an appreciation of the significance and scope of the portfolio in Jewish art. We are grateful to her for the dedication she has given to this catalog. We are certain that it will be of lasting value to scholars