The Dispute Prophet: A Look at Two Hebrew Biblical Inscriptions in Two Christian Pieces of Art

This study focuses on two unique biblical Hebrew inscriptions from the Book of Isaiah found on two famous pieces of Christian artwork. The one is found on a fresco by Raphael, situated over the Alter of St. Anne in the church of St. Augustine in Rome. The other is an alter fresco by Durante Alberti, situated in the Annunciation Chapel at the church of Santa Maria ai Monti in Rome. The goal of this work is to study the circumstances, in which these Hebrew inscriptions have appeared, as well as their role and their contribution, as part of the general decorative display, to the unity of the artwork and its overall significance.

At the heart of this research lies the assumption that the unique use of Hebrew inscriptions from the Book of Isaiah in religious Christian paintings is tightly related to the complex reality of the Jews living among Christians in Rome during the 16th century. Discussing this assumption, reference is made to historical events that played a role in the formation of the relationship between the two religions.

The main findings of this research endeavor assert that the Hebrew inscriptions in each of the paintings facilitated the educational, Christian theological messages for which they were written. In this respect, it may be claimed that the unified notion underlying the decorative array of each alter contributes to the Christian campaign while reflecting a phase in the development of the Christian theological methodology attempting to imbue Christian values in Jewish scriptures.