Passover Haggadah with German Translation

Charlotte von Rothschild

1842

Decorated page framed with foliate design featuring two angels on left and right, Hebrew text in middle, and lions on bottom register. — One of Charlotte von Rothschild’s most outstanding works is this Haggadah she illuminated for her uncle, Amschel Mayer Rothschild. Containing eighteen text illustrations in addition to decorated initials, it is remarkable for its use of both Jewish and Christian motifs. It is the only known Hebrew manuscript to have been illuminated by a woman. Two female angels are positioned on the front cover in the place where images of Moses and Aaron often appeared. At the bottom of the cover, is a version of the Rothschild family’s coat of arms.

Credits

Braginsky Collection No. 314, title page. Braginsky Collection, Zurich. Photography by Ardon Bar-Hama, Ra’anana, Israel.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 6.

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From the Curator

One of Charlotte von Rothschild’s most outstanding works is this Haggadah, which she illuminated for her uncle, Amschel Mayer Rothschild. Containing eighteen illustrations in addition to decorated initials, it is remarkable for its use of both Jewish and Christian motifs. Two female angels are positioned on the front cover in the place where images of Moses and Aaron often appeared. The Hebrew text reads: “The Passover Haggadah with drawings of the miracles that God provided for our ancestors in their leaving Egypt.” At the bottom of the cover is a version of the Rothschild family’s coat of arms.

Discussion Questions

Is there anything you would consider Jewish about the images portrayed on this page?
Why do you think Rothschild chose to include two women at the forefront of this image?
Do you think the Hebrew inscription touting God’s rescue of Jews from exile relates to the embrace of Christian motifs?

Creator Bio

Charlotte von Rothschild

1807–1859

Charlotte von Rothschild was born into a prominent Jewish banking family in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. She married her cousin Lionel de Rothschild, who later became the first unconverted Jew to serve in the British House of Commons. She was one of the most sought-after socialites and hostesses in London and was a patron of many charities. She was also an artist who studied under the French painter Baron François Gérard as well as the painter and art dealer Moritz Oppenheim, who painted her wedding portrait.

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Passover Haggadah with German Translation

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