Deliberate Imperfection in Medieval Hebrew Manuscripts from Iberia. Issue 1 (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harris, Julie A.
• Is Part Of: Ars Judaica. Volume 17:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 23
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: Jewish art and symbolism -- Periodicals; Jewish arts -- Periodicals; 704.94896
• DOI: 10.3828/aj.2021.17.2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1565-6721

Abstract

Abstract : This article presents several examples of puzzling imperfections found in illuminated Hebrew manuscripts from Iberia. Some of these can be credibly explained – by hypothesizing a shortage of materials resulting in an unfinished decoration, or artistic inexperience that led to an awkwardly designed interlace. Other imperfections – such as missing verses in a sequential inscription or iconography, the details of which confound art historians by their persistent divergence from canonical sources – are more difficult to explain away. The possibility that such imperfections might be intentional is investigated here; how might deliberate imperfections act as meaningful interventions in the context of Jewish culture?