Yosef Zvi Geiger – Three Sketches for the Binding of Isaac

Yosef Zvi Geiger – Three Sketches for the Binding of Isaac

Three sketches for the work Binding of Isaac by R. Yosef Zvi Geiger (1870-1944). [Safed, late 19th or early 20th century].
Pencil on paper.
The sketches show different variations and compositions of the scenes depicted in the finished work: Abraham brandishing the knife, Isaac tied on the altar, the angel, the ram with his horns tangled in the bush, and more.
The finished work was sold in Kedem Auction 86, item 85. A somewhat unfinished sketch of the work is found in the Einhorn collection, documented in the catalog Arts and Crafts in 19th Century Eretz Israel (Jerusalem: The Israel Museum, 1979), picture 108 – there it is mistakenly attributed to Moshe Shah Mizrachi.
Three sketches, 41X32 cm to 50X38 cm. Fair to poor condition. Closed and open tears to all leaves, affecting sketches. Tear down length of one leaf (leaf split in two). Stains and other blemishes. Folding marks and creases. Tape repairs.

R. Yosef Zvi Geiger (1870-1944), native of Safed. One of the most prominent public figures in Safed. He served as general secretary of Safed's "Kollel" institutions, and his home was a regular meeting place for the "gabba'im" (managers) of the various local Kollelim and congregations. The Yishuv's foremost newspapers – including "Havatzelet, " "HaLevanon, " and "HaZefirah" – regularly published his articles. He also served as a scribe for the Kollelim, and assisted illiterate members of the community by writing letters on their behalf. Geiger was renowned in Safed for being both a gifted scribe and talented painter, entrusted with producing beautifully scripted documents. Among his extant works are splendid "Mizrah" and "Shiviti" plaques, calligraphic and illustrated title pages for "donors books, " certificates for donors and greeting letters, and papercuts in the Eastern European style. His contemporaries recall the beautiful "ketubahs" (marriage documents) he produced for the city's couples, decorated with gilt lettering and floral and vegetal designs; and the artworks he created to adorn the walls of the local synagogues, including gilt-lettered plaques. Among his many special talents was his ability to inscribe micrographic texts onto grains of wheat; he could fit several verses from the Bible onto a single grain. In the (Hebrew) book of memoirs by Yosef Zvi's grandson, Benjamin Geiger, entitled "One of the Elders of Safed, " Benjamin writes that his grandfather also specialized in engraving in stone (and inscribed several headstones in Safed). Benjamin also relates that R. Yosef Zvi was a lover and champion of the Hebrew language, and in his efforts to promote the language he would put up posters with words in Hebrew on the walls of study rooms and yeshivas throughout the town, so that children would get to know these words. He personally taught the language to his children and grandchildren, ensuring they would become entirely fluent.

PLEASE NOTE: Item description was shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.