A Jewish Synagogue, Jerusalem, Sir David Wilkie, R.A. 1785-1841

Sir David Wilkie, R.A. 1785-1841

A Jewish Synagogue, Jerusalem

Inscribed lower left: no.55 and on part of old mount: A Jewish Synagogue, Jerusalem/1841

With a study of a church verso

Black chalk on blue paper

41.8 by 29.4 cm., 16 ¼ by 11 ½ in.

Wilkie arrived in Jerusalem on 27th February in what he calls in his journal entry for that day `the most interesting city in the world.’ He had been travelling through Europe for six months and Jerusalem was one of his final stops.

He remained there until 6th April when he headed south to Beirut and on to Alexandria. There he was taken ill and set off home via Malta dying on a ship off Gibraltar on 1st June. 

Wilkie was keen to see Jewish life in Jerusalem. His journals and letters recall several visits to Synagogues in Jerusalem. His Journal for 3rd March 1841 relates: `…went to Mount Zion; visited the Synagogue; much struck’ and for 17th March: `Went out early with Mr Woodburn and Reuben to the Synagogue; made drawing’ (see Allan Cunningham, The Life of Sir David Wilkie, 1843, vol. III, p.411).

He made several oil sketches of Jewish life especially of religious observances. One of these drawings is especially rare and unusual for being taken inside a synagogue. An oil sketch `Jews Praying at the Wailing Wall’ is in the museum of the University of Dundee (see Nicholas Tromans, David Wilkie – Painter of Everyday Life, exhibition catalogue, 2002, no. 31, pp. 112-3, ill.).

Dimensions

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance