Medieval Haggadah on public exhibit after a century
The manuscript features seventy-five water color paintings.
By ROSSELLA TERCATIN The Lombard Haggadah. Milan, c. 1390-1400(photo credit: LES ENLUMINURES)
A medieval Haggadah dating back to 1390 went on public display for the first time in a century at the Les Enluminures gallery in New York City.Created in Milan, Italy, the Haggadah is known as the Lombard Haggadah, which was on display in the legendary Paris World’s Fair.It belonged to a French family, until it was bought in 1927 by the renowned Jewish publisher and collector Zalman Schocken, remaining in private hands ever since. A century later, it will be on exhibition from April 12th to April 20th.The Haggadah features seventy-five water color paintings depicting the most iconic moments on the Jewish exodus from Egypt, such as a man holding a bunch of bitter herbs, the portraits of the Four Sons and the baking of the matzah. The artwork was created by the artistic circle headed by fourteenth century Milanese artist Giovannino de Grassi.The Lombard Haggadah is the oldest stand-alone Italian Haggadah and one of three illustrated Medieval Haggadot still privately owned. It is currently for sale.
