Page 356 - The Legacy of Abraham Rothstein - text

Portraits: biblical

covered by long flowing hair across the top to the other end.
One breast is revealed beneath the bent arm. Without reference
to the identifying inscription, the work radiates graceful
feminine charm, as well as a feeling of private pathos. The title,
however, makes that aura specific: Jephthah, returning home
after smiting the Ammonites, had vowed to make a burnt
offering of the first living thing he saw in his compound upon
his return. Instead of the farm animal he expected, his daughter
ran out to greet him. He kept his vow, after allowing her to
bewail her fate for two months.

55 King David (?) *
Wood
17.5” x 4”

The identification of this figure is tentative: AR provided few
iconographic clues for a viewer not steeped in biblical lore.
First, the character is clearly an ancient leader, based on his
bearing and the Middle Eastern robes and headgear; the faintly-
incised Star of David on the front of the cap makes him more
specifically a king of Israel. AR added decorative trim to the
belt, collar, and cap, indicating rank if not wealth. The beard is
especially long and luxurious, and the hair is curled up at the
nape of the neck, again denoting the biblical period. Second,
the things held by the figure cannot be random: AR often used
such associated objects, no matter how cursorily rendered, as
identifying attributes. In this case, the scroll and sword also
point to David, as the supposed author of the Psalms and the
military campaigner who united Judea, respectively. Less clear
is the treatment of the outer cloak: it is chipped with a bent
gouge, suggesting the rough texture of an animal skin. To what
does that refer?

63 Joshua *
Wood
16.75” x 8”

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