Bidspirit auction | MORIAH, AVNER. THE FIVE BOOKS

MORIAH, AVNER. THE FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES. Five volumes.  LIMITED EDITION OF 100 COPIES. Vibrant biblical images and striking visual interpretations by Avner Moriah. The exquisite Hebrew text was executed by master calligrapher IZZY PLUDWINSKI. Printed on archival paper, with archival ink. Original fine bindings, each in custom slip-case. Tall folios. Mint Condition. With:  Five additional, explanatory volumes. Jerusalem, 2010-19. “Avner Moriah is an active artist and prolific painter whose creative career spans nearly five decades. His most recent accomplishment is a monumental project to illuminate the complete Pentateuch, a work of nearly fifteen years. For this unparalleled artistic undertaking, Moriah created hundreds of original illustrations that provide a singular visual interpretation of the ancient texts. Hand-painted in gouache with gold-leaf alongside the Hebrew text in artisan calligraphy, these volumes are an unrivaled work of art and a profound tribute of the highest accord to the ancient tradition and text.” AVNER MORIAH: FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES “is a beautiful work, by a distinguished artist, who interprets the bible in a unique way: through an illustration of the biblical text.” * Vol. I: “Genesis - בראשית. In the beginning, there was Genesis. Genesis tells the universal story of creation. It is the cornerstone of monotheistic faith, and the bedrock of the People of the Book. It is also the first book renowned artist Avner Moriah created in his 15-year journey to illuminate the entire Pentateuch.   * Vol. II: Exodus - שמות. Exodus takes its Hebrew name Shemot (‘names’) from the first verse, which lists the members of Jacob’s family descending into Egypt – 70 people in all. By the time they left Egypt, they had grown many-fold in numbers but were yet to become a nation. The Israelites’ slavery came to an end, but their journey had just begun.   * Vol. III: Leviticus - ויקרא. If the compelling stories of Genesis and Exodus virtually tell themselves, Leviticus is a different case: it is where the terms of the contract between God and his chosen people are spelled out for posterity in meticulous detail. Some find it technical and uninspiring; others revel in the ritual. Artist Avner Moriah embraced Leviticus as a challenge and chose to illuminate it in black and gold, and with multiple shades of gray to reflect the nuanced interpretations of the written legal word that are inherent to even the most carefully worded law. * Vol. IV: Numbers - במדבר. Numbers, the book’s English name, is a nod to the two censuses taken of the Israelites at God’s command. However, its Hebrew name – “Bamidbar” – or “In the Desert” – encapsulates both the physical and spiritual place of the People of Israel at that time. .  * Vol. V: Deuteronomy - דברים. With the end of the Israelites’ voyage to the Promised Land, Deuteronomy seals the Pentateuch. It is also the conclusion of this artistic undertaking. It is the book that brings it all together. Deuteronomy – Devarim in Hebrew – is mainly a recap. It restates the rules that God handed down to His chosen people, and retells of the trials that they endured on the long path to the land of Canaan.” “In 2007, I embarked on an artistic and spiritual journey to illustrate the Five Books of Moses and contribute a unique visual interpretation of these ancient texts for all who hold dear both the written word and painted image. Each book was carefully researched for its singular role in the whole, inspiring hundreds of original drawings illustrating the stories behind the words. The completed volumes now have a life of their own. They are just beginning their independent journey not only as objects of beauty but as contemporary vessels of Jewish education and learning for generations to come.” Avner Moriah, Jerusalem, October, 2018. Avner Moriah’s complete Bible has been exhibited at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, New York. See: http://huc.edu/news/2019/09/09/avner-moriah-five-books-moses See also: https://avnermoriah.com Detailed collation, references and additional illustrations available upon request.