Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Megilat Esther (Scroll of Esther) [SIGNED]

Moriah, Avner (illus.); Izzy Pludwinsky (calligrapher)

Jerusalem: Avner Moriah. Limited edition. Scroll. 1/180. The work is a scroll, measuring a total of 10.5x1.5', rolled up and housed in an oblong lidded decorative box. The box measures 6.5x 6.5x 20.5", in brown-beige and red leather, decorated with gilt-stamped lettering, illustrations, tooling and motifs. Interior of the box in red leather with addition decorative motifs in gilt. The scroll is #23 of a limited number 180 copies, hand-numbered and signed by the artist in pencil in the margin on the left edge, at the end of the scroll. This digital printing (printed on a Epson 9900) lavishly reproduces the original vibrant work of artist Avner Moriah in illustrating the biblical Book of Esther in stunning detail. This is the largest of three different versions of the scroll he painted between 2003 and 2005.

The scroll, starting from right to left, following the Hebrew tradition, begins with a section of small amusing vignettes, displaying the central characters and other groups of people in the story, and acts as a sort of key for identifying the main forces and players within the Esther story. Block sections from the text of the scroll are reproduced in lovely calligraphy by Izzy Pludwinsky, and are surrounded and enveloped by the illustrations, creating a sense of unity between the text and the artwork. Moriah's work here, contains deep and bold hues of blues, oranges and reds, giving a sense of dynamic life, vibrancy and sensuality to the paintings with great contrasts in light and shadowed sections. The cityscapes and interiors inhabited by the characters, display detailed and ornate Islamic, and middle-eastern style geometrical patterns, motifs and architecture giving a real sense of time and place. The artist constantly plays with the viewer's perspective, with central characters oriented directly or indirectly facing the viewer giving a sense of immediacy. Interiors and landscapes stretch off away from the viewer into distant horizons which flow into expressive backgrounds, depicting castles, mountains, rugged cliffs, clouds, night skies and fire. The content of the text is rendered in simple scenes that get directly to the heart of the action, and easily convey meaning. Text in Hebrew. Scroll and box in overall fine condition. fine. Item #43035

Price: $6,000.00