Illuminated Piety: Jewish Miniature Manuscripts of the Eighteenth Century

The eighteenth century witnessed the revival of the Hebrew illumination in Central Europe. To some extent, these manuscripts are a continuation of the Jewish scribal activity and book art of earlier periods. However, at the same time, important changes in their production could be observed and this can be exemplified by a different format of books preferred then. While numerous large codices are known from the Middle Ages, manuscripts produced in the era of print are much smaller and some of them – as lower and narrower than 76 mm – meet categorization for miniature books. Small-sized illuminated manuscripts contain religious texts such as Grace after Meals or Passover Haggadot. These magnificent examples of Jewish book art are copied in a very fine minute Hebrew script and feature lavish illuminations. They demonstrate the finest workmanship and penmanship of their makers, well-trained and talented Jewish artist-scribes, mainly from the Bohemian-Moravian region and Germany. Such costly books were commissioned by wealthy men and women (frequently deriving from the Court Jews environment) since responded to the admiration of such luxurious objects among Jewish elites and exposed the high social status of their patrons and owners. They were produced for individual piety and as such reflect changes in the function of books in the era of print.

Based on the selected illuminated manuscripts produced in Central Europe during the eighteenth century, I will discuss which types of books were produced in miniature format and talk about their illuminations. At the same time, the ornamentation of Jewish diminutive books will be the starting point for the discussion on their production and social background. Finally, I will give some remarks on the milieus of their artist-scribes, patrons, and users.