Haggadah (Frankfurt)

1842

About This Entry

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.

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.

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?

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