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Mattathias and his sons the Maccabees
Ze'ev Raban (Israeli (born in Poland), 1890–1970)
Israeli (Palestine, Jerusalem)
1941
Medium/Technique
Gouache over pencil on paper
Dimensions
H: 25 cm; W: 31 cm
Credit Line
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Collection
Accession Number2013.996
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsWatercolors
DescriptionIn the central scene Mattathias, the patriarch of the Hashmoneans, speaks to his five sons on his death bed.
The medallions along the frame represent episodes from the hebrew Bible . From bottom right to bottom left:
The sacrifice of Isaac; Joseph and Potifar’s wife; Pinhas (Phineas) being zealous for his God; Joshua and Caleb; Pleasant are the songs of Israel
The medallions along the frame represent episodes from the hebrew Bible . From bottom right to bottom left:
The sacrifice of Isaac; Joseph and Potifar’s wife; Pinhas (Phineas) being zealous for his God; Joshua and Caleb; Pleasant are the songs of Israel
InscriptionsNow the days drew near for Mattathias to die, and he said to his sons :" Arrogance and reproach have now become strong; it is a time for ruin and furious anger. Now, my children, show zeal for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of our fathers"
( Maccabees I, Chapter 2 verses 49-50)
( Maccabees I, Chapter 2 verses 49-50)
ProvenanceBy 1982, Irving J. Abramowitz, Baltimore. April 24, 1997, anonymous sale, Sotheby’s, Tel Aviv, lot 61, to Charles and Lynn Schusterman, Tulsa; 2013, gift of Lynn Schusterman to the MFA. (Accession Date: September 25, 2013)