Thursday, April 30, 2009
Anti-Semitism in Literature and Art II
Boaisuau's "Jew by Well":
This woodcut is famous for its shock value and presentation of Jews being direct threats to Chritians everywhere. The Jew, appearing to be a priest, holds a vessel of his victim's blood while conjuring a devil out of a well outside a town, right in the open. A blatant mockery of the use of a crucifix, the woodcut takes advantage of the threatening and unpredictable side of the Jewish stereotype. Not only were they a comical people to the Renaissance reader and audience, they were also seen as extremely dangerous.
"Christ Drives the Usurers out of the Temple" by Lucas Cranach the Elder:
This woodcut takes an entirely different approach to anti-semitic stereotypes. At least today, one does not typically imagine Christ to be one to drive anyone or anything away with a whip. However, this depiction shows an aggressive and abusive Jesus Christ. The Jewish people he is whipping are falling and stampeding each other to escape his blows, scattering like roaches almost. The Jews are portrayed as pests to be shooed away, even bringing the evil out of Christ himself.
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