The various descriptions of the creation/formation of human beings in Genesis have been treated extensively by artists, expressing their different readings of the biblical narratives as well as various midrashic sources.
Ezekiel's vision of the divine chariot has fascinated Jewish, Christian and Muslim commentators and mystics, but artists have struggled to capture its complex imagery
The story of Cain and Abel is the first in a series of tales of fraternal rivalry in the book of Genesis. It has attracted much attention from Jewish, Christian and Muslim artists, who express their understandings of the meaning of the story in the details of their artwork
The eccentric character, Elijah the prophet, is the subject of much Jewish, Christian and Muslim artwork, sometimes linked to biblical stories and often to later midrashim and interpretations of his adventures.
Women as victims in the book of Judges epitomize the breakdown of society in that era. Artists attempt to understand the details and significance of their tragedies
The story of Joseph is akin to a novella and very different from the other parts of the Patriarchal narrative in Genesis, especially regarding the role of God. For these reasons and others, Jewish, Christian and Muslim artists have treated the story intensively.
In the synagogue at Dura Europos, an entire row of paintings deals with the desert Tabernacle, the Jerusalem Temple and the Ark. How were these ancient elements of worship understood by the Jews of this Talmudic town
An unusually large number of women appear in the Book of Judges. This essay examines how artists picture the dominant women of Judges - leaders, heroines and femmes fatales
Various aspects of Moses' character and role in the Torah and in later Jewish tradition are treated by artists, each of whom imagines Moses in accordance with the beliefs of their times, communities and religions.
The splitting of the Red Sea and its crossing by the people of Israel is the culmination of their escape from the bondage in Egypt. How have artists pictured the miracle itself, the role of the people and the role of Moses?
The alphabet as the basic unit of written language has a strong place within Jewish tradition and mysticism, especially regarding Creation and Revelation. How has the alphabet been treated by artists?
The scroll of Ruth is the bible's special expression of hesed - charity, caring. But artists show that the scroll also deals with the economic and emotional difficulties of women in biblical times.
Among the many paintings from the third century synagogue of Dura Europos, one has been identified as depicting Moses at a well. How did the artist understand this scene and what midrashic sources did he or she use
Among the paintings in the synagogue of Dura Europos, special place is given to the prophet Ezekiel's visions, and especially to the Valley of Dry Bones. How did the Durene artist imagine the prophet's extraordinary vision and its meaning for this 3rd century community?
Jacob's dream/ladder is his first encounter with God and a turning point in his life. Examination of the artwork on this story reveals a variety of readings of the man and the symbol