An Important Micrographic Engraving for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Levi Van Gelder, [New York: ca. 1865]

Engraving on paper with 12 original collage elements, (47½ x 36½ in.; 1205 x 926 mm). Mounted in a wood frame.

Alice Greenwald, "The Masonic Mizrah and Lamp: Jewish Ritual Art as a Reflection of Cultural Assimilation" in Journal of Jewish Art, (1984) vol. 10 pp. 87-101

Engraving on paper with 12 original collage elements, (47½ x 36½ in.; 1205 x 926 mm). Mounted in a wood frame.
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This monumental engraving is the most elaborate example of the Levi Van Gelder's unique artistic style.  Van Gelder was born in Amsterdam in 1816 and was a highly accomplished artist. He began his career in the Netherlands and is known to have engraved five elaborate mizrahs between the years 1840 and 1850. In 1860, Van Gelder immigrated to America and published two additional micrographic engravings; one, dated 1865, is currently in the collection of the Skirball Museum, Los Angeles (#39.30). The present work was published in New York by Joseph Brillant and Meyer Rabinowitz who were known for producing several other micrographic works in Hebrew and English.

In this tour de force Van Gelder has created an elaborate tableau weaving the words into decorative patterns and deftly incorporating over 110 biblical vignettes into this epic work.  He has surrounded the images with texts drawn from biblical quotations as well as with excerpts from the liturgy of the High Holidays. In addition, twelve original red collage elements are affixed to the engraving. Van Gelder evidently had ties to the Order of Freemasons as many of his artistic creations contain elements of masonic imagery. The use of this imagery reflects the increased involvement of the Jews in the Order of Freemasons during the nineteenth century.

The present engraving is a rare example of a micrographic masterpiece as well as an important piece of American Judaica.