Joel ben Simeon Mahzor, Italy, circa 1475

Joel ben Simeon Mahzor, Italy, circa 1475

Ink on parchment, 457 folios

A Masterpiece by One of the only known Medieval Jewish Artists—Joel ben Simeon

Created in Italy circa 1475, this richly decorated Hebrew book of prayers is illustrated by Joel ben Simeon, one of the most celebrated Jewish scribe-artists of the fifteenth century. Born in Germany and active for much of his career in northern Italy, Joel developed a distinctively imaginative artistic language. The pages of this manuscript are profusely embellished with his delicate line drawings of animated figures, fanciful hybrid animals and most importantly, his work engages directly with the texts of the prayers. Hundreds of images fill this prayerbook—we encounter a depiction of a man joyfully blowing the shofar next to the prayers for the same; a drawing of a Hanukkah menorah as it looked in the late 15^th  century; an image of Moses receiving the Tablets of the Law and numerous more. Through these engaging images Joel ben Simeon transformed this book of prayer into a work of remarkable visual invention. Among the relatively few medieval Jewish artists known by name, Joel ben Simeon’s long and prolific career occupies an exceptional place in the history of decorated Hebrew manuscripts. Of his oeuvre that includes 12 signed works and 22 others firmly attributed to his hand, this prayerbook is one of only four of his works in private hands. This Joel ben Simeon Mahzor is important not only as a lavishly illustrated Hebrew prayer book, but as a surviving work associated with one of the defining artistic personalities of the medieval Jewish book.

Photographs courtesy of Ardon Bar-Hama