Painting, part of a tritych, Amsterdam 1679
With so many objects within the collection, each with their own history and relevance, I often find that I have too many favourites when asked to choose a highlight. There is, however, one object I always pick. This framed painting, one of a triptych, is by far one of the most interesting and beautiful items in the museum’s collection. Each of the three paintings focuses on a different theme, the one I have chosen here is the frame within which the concept of tzedakah is portrayed.
If we start with the image on the right hand side we see a hand emerging from the heavens holding the scales of justice in perfect balance, referencing the translation of tzedakah to justice. If we then move to the image on the left hand side we see two hands emerging from behind a curtain with one donating money to the other. Neither one can see the other, thus speaking to the virtue of giving charity anonymously where neither the donor knows where the money goes, nor the receiver knows from where the money came. This is referencing one of the ways to achieve justice is through the giving of charity. Then in the centre of the image we have the culmination of these good deeds; a beautiful depiction of a palm tree, representing the wellknown verse ‘the righteous shall flourish like the palm tree’. Upon the branches are the Ten Commandments written in gold and shimmering against the green of the leaves. (Above the tree is the name of God, which the JC has blurred)
The paintings stand at 39cm high and 54cm in width within their wooden frames but we know only a little of their origins. This piece is of Sephardic heritage and is signed by the artist Benjamin Godines Senior in the year 5439 which equates to
1679. We know that the triptych was commissioned in Amsterdam by Isaac de Matatiah Aboab but unfortunately very little else. Even the Hebrew, beautifully scribed in gilding, is not entirely translated and transcribed within our records.
This painting, alongside its two accompanying pieces, are on display in the history gallery. I think they could be displayed a room of their own to be seen in all their detail and the concepts within them explained and interpreted in all their facets.
This painting shows a core Jewish value that the British Jewish community recognises as easily today as the Amsterdam Jewish community would have done over 342 years ago.
The museum often needs helps from volunteers who can read other languages including, Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, German, Spanish and Portuguese. If you would like to volunteer to help us translate items in our collection in the New Year then please get in touch.