The Procession of the Law, by Solomon Alexander Hart, RA, c.1850.
Loaned by Norwood
We are proud to hold one of the world’s most extensive collections of prints and drawings relating to Jewish life, built around the collection assembled by Alfred Rubens, one of the museum’s founders. We have over 2,000 pieces dating from the 15th to the 20th centuries.
The prints show images of Jewish life and personalities from across Europe as well as antisemitic cartoons, 19th-century English political caricatures, beautiful Jewish costumes from around the world and even an etching by Rembrandt!
We also have a notable collection of works by Pre-Raphaelite artist Simeon Solomon and some high quality paintings by artists such as Thomas Hudson, Tilly Kettle, Solomon Hart and Abraham Solomon. These include portraits of distinguished members of the community, in particular early rabbis of the Great Synagogue who effectively acted as Chief Rabbi of England.
Highlights
Benjamin Disraeli as a young man, published 12 March 1852.
Satire on the visit of the Dukes of Cumberland, Sussex and Cambridge to the Great Synagogue, 1809.
Algerian Jewish woman, after an original by Duverger, c.1843.
