Large illustrated leaf, holy sites in Eretz Israel. [Second half of 19th century].
Paper, gouache and ink.
Illustrations of the holy sites and graves of tsaddikim in Eretz Israel, arranged in horizontal columns and divided into "holy cities" – Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed and Tiberias; Nablus and Meron.
In the center of the leaf is the Temple Mount with Beit HaMikdash next to Midrash Shlomo [this was the name of the place in earlier times] and the Western Wall. Surrounding them is an arch, with the inscription: "Yehi ratzon…that the Beit HaMikdash shall be built speedily in our days…". On the top and at the sides are the holy sites of Jerusalem and its surroundings: the tombs of the kings of the House of David, Hulda the Prophetess, Hagai the Prophet, the 70 Sanhedrin, the tomb of Zecharya and Yad Avshalom, Rachel's tomb, etc. At the bottom of the leaf are tombs of tsaddikim and sites of the cities of Hebron, Safed, Tiberias and Nablus. In the center of this section is a large illustration of the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron.
The illustrations are influenced by Ottoman architecture, depicting building with domed roofs, atop of which are crescent moons. The illustrations of the holy sites are drawn in a schematic style, resembling the style of illustrations seen in maps and landscapes of Jerusalem in the 19th century. A similar illustration can be found in the collection of the Israel Museum (see: Omanuth ve-Umanuth be-Eretz Israel, the Israel Museum, Jerusalem 1979, pp. 98-100).
46X65 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Folding marks and wear. Tears, some restored.