Narratives

How Goodly Are Thy Tents, O, Jacob, and Your Tabernacle, O, Israel! .... (Numbers 24:5)

2008

Etching9 x 9 inches

This is part of an unfinished series on the story of Pinchas. The image is based upon Bilaam's description of the encampment of the children of Israel.

The Sacrifice of Isaac after an Etching by Rembrandt

2001

Monotype13 x 10 inches

The Sacrifice of Isaac

2001

Woodblock print11.825 x 7.5 inches

I had seen many artists' renditions of this subject and decided to make my own. Isaac is the focus here, Abraham is the angel of death.

The Book of Esther #1 — Hadassah/Esther

2001

Etching with drypoint5.5 x 5.5 inches

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Hadassah/Esther

Hadassah is the niece of Mordecai, the leader of the Jewish people in Persia.  Hadassah is Hebrew for myrtle, a fragrant plant, which is shown growing aroundher feet.  King Ahasuerus’s  men are rounding up all the eligible young women in the kingdomto be taken to the palace where they would become part of his harem.  In anticipation of this happening to Hadassah, Mordecai instructs her to hide her true identity and changes her name to Esther.  Esther means ‘hidden’ in Hebrew and is a variation on the name of the Persian fertility goddess Ishtar.  Esther is precariously perched on a three legged stool, symbolizing the three pillars ofJudaism, off of which Mordecai will push her into the outside and unknown world of the palace.

Hadassah/Esther

2001

Ink on paper6 x 7.75 inches

This is the sketch for the original composition. The three female figures represent the voices in Hadassah's head. Disembodied talking heads will reappear through out the sketches. Many of them do not make it into the final prints.

Hadassah/Esther

2001

This print reflects an earlier state of the final plate.

The Book of Esther #2 — Esther in the Harem

2001

Etching with drypoint11.5 x 9.75 inches

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Esther in the Harem

Esther is taken to the harem where she follows Mordecai’s instructions to hide her Jewish identity.  The Midrash related that in order to maintain her illusion she requested seven maids, one for each day of the week.  The same maid served her every Sabbath and thus her behavior on that day did not appear unusual to the maid.  This enabled her to continue to observe the Sabbath undetected.

The Book of Esther #3 — The Invitation: Esther Before Achashverosh

2000

Etching with drypoint4.5 x 6.75 inches

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The Invitation: Esther before Ahasuerus

When news of Haman’s plan to kill the Jews becomes known, Mordecai orders Esther to go to King Ahasuerus and beg him to cancel the horrific decree.  Esther balks.  She has never before gone to the king willingly.   That was her one consolation in the harem.   She knew that she had never violated Jewish law by her contact with the king because it had never been as a willing participant.  Moreover, the king had not called for her.   To approach the king without being summoned was certain death — unless the king extended his scepter.  Mordecai pressures her; she must attempt to save the Jews, but if she does not, salvation will come by other means and she will be destroyed.  She goes to the king, and invites him to a party she will make for him and Haman.

The Book of Esther #4 — The Party: Esther Reveals Herself

2001

Etching with drypoint11.5 x 8.25 inches

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Esther’s Party

At the second party that Esther makes for Ahasuerus and Haman, she reveals her identity and begs for the lives of the Jewish people.  The king, furious at the position Haman has gotten him into, storms out of the room and into the garden.  Haman, in a frantic attempt to save his life, throws himself at the foot of Esther’s couch.  At that moment the king returns and sees Haman apparently being intimate with the queen.   Haman is sentenced to the gallows.

The Book of Esther #4

The Party: Esther Reveals Herself The plate in an early state.

The Book of Esther #5 — Epilogue: Esther's Child

2000

Etching with drypoint5 x 7.5 inches

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Esther’s Child: Epilogue

The Jewish people have been saved.  But Esther’s life in the palace is not over.   She has a son by Ahasuerus -- Darius.  As the son of a Jewish mother, he is Jewish by birth, but he will become his father’s son, emperor of Persia and Medea.

The Ark in Exile

1999

Etching with drypoint6 x 4.75 inches

 2019 All images property of Shoshana Golin-Cahn