Micrographic Calligram of Eight Psalms Presented to Crown Prince Joseph II. Written by Aaron Wolf Herlingen, Vienna: 1751, Manuscript on Parchment

Estimate

20,000 - 30,000 USD

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Description

1 leaf (7 1/2 x 4 7/8 in.: 190 x 120 mm). Written in black ink on parchment; title and caption in Latin; calligram penned in micrographic minuscule in Latin; forming an image of King David holding a harp; signed by the artist in spare ground within a drawn frame of black ink: "Aaron Wolf Kayserl. Konigl. Bibliothec Schreiber In Wienn Anno 1751." Lightly stained.

Provenance

Dedicated in the text to Crown Prince Joseph II of Austria who would become the future Hapsburg Emperor.

Literature

Shalom Sabar, "Seder Birkat ha-Mazon-Vienna, 1719/20: The Earliest Known Illuminated Hebrew Manuscript by Aaron Wolf Schreiber of Gewitsch" [Hebrew], in Shmuel Glick, ed Zekher Devar le-'Avdekha, Bar Ilan:2007. Iris Fishof, Jewish Art Masterpieces from the Israel Museum, Jerusalem:1994.

Catalogue Note

An exceptionally rare example of Latin micrography

This wonderful example of the micrographic skill of Aaron Wolf Herlingen is one of the very few extant non-Hebrew works by this Jewish artist who had the distinction of having been appointed calligrapher and scribe in the Royal Library in Vienna by Emperor Charles VI in 1736. For many years Herlingen continued to serve not only the nobility of the Hapsburg court in Vienna, but also produced a number of beautiful manuscripts for Jewish ritual use that he undertook as private commissions. Notable examples include several highly prized illuminated haggadot.

In 1751Herlingen created this micrographic masterpiece for Prince Joseph II, the then ten year old son of the Hapsburg Empress Maria Theresa. The poem in Latin addresses the future emperor by name and proclaims the glory of young Joseph's lineage by comparing him to King David, traditionally acclaimed as the author of the Book of Psalms. In the last stanza, Herlingen writes: Behold, it is for you that King David brings his songs ... you who like David are filled with divine spirit; both anointed of God, you the new, he the old. Clearly, those who presented this piece to young Joseph, perhaps his parents, Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa, had high expectations for the future monarch.

This meticulously crafted and delicately penned masterwork is titled "Seven Penitential Psalms & Psalm 138." Herlingen is renowned for his micrographic skill in executing not only Hebrew works, but also for his elaborate showpieces in other languages. His brilliantly executed German, French and Latin micrographic broadsheets were almost certainly prepared for members of the Royal family, as was the present lot.