Leone da Modena

Description

Rabbi Leone of Modena was born in Venice in 1571 .By the age of two, he had learnt to read and at three years old he was translating passages of theTorah from Hebrew into Italian.

Leone Da Modena was an unyielding critic of emerging sects and fiercely opposed to Kabbalah. He pursued all sorts of occupations to support himself: preacher, gambler, playwright, poet, alchemist, teacher of Jews and Christians, prayer reader, interpreter, proofreader, bookseller, broker, merchant, rabbi, musician, matchmaker and manufacturer of amulets. Although he taught for years his only real love was writing. He wrote many important commentaries, ethical treaties and a dictionary.

He died as a controversial figure, a contrarian both by nature and vocation.

The painting depicts both, the New and the Old Ghetto. I painted also a theater performance  that was based on one of his plays (with the horse on the left) below Rabbi Leone’s wedding. On the right one can see his son in one of his alchemistic experiments. In the center you can see him as a gambler which nearly brought on him his excommunication by the Venetian Rabbis.

Giclee’ on canvas,Ltd. edition of 500 signed and numbered by the artist. Available in three  sizes:

Large canvas ltd. edition signed by the artist – approx 23.5×19.5″ – 60x50cm

Medium canvas ltd. edition signed by the artist – approx 13.5×16.5″ – 35cm x 42 cm

Small canvas ltd. edition signed by the artist – approx 10×11.5″ –  25cm x 29 cm

Mini canvas open edition approx 7×8″ – 17x20cm