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Converted Masters: World Famous Masterpieces With a Jewish Twist
In this elegant coffee table book, author Esty Frankel-Fersel 'converts' classic art masterpieces into Jewish counterparts. Imagine Vermeer's zoftig milkmaid kneading challah or Moses bringing down the tablets amid a Georgia O'Keefe desert landscape.
A vibrant Kandinsky color plate, gold foil stamp and glossy black background are featured on the book's cover. Inside, each traditional masterpiece is shown opposite its converted version, allowing the reader to search for the sometimes obvious, sometimes more subtle differences. The works of art reproduced span from early 16th century classical Renaissance works to modern day pop art.
Every 'converted' painting is an original work by the author, most created with oil and acrylic on canvas in glowing color. Explanations of the Jewish content are provided alongside each reproduction for readers not familiar with Jewish observances. A special section of popular Yiddish expressions matched to famous works of art is sure to draw chuckles.
Converted Masters is an excellent conversation piece and a terrific gift for anyone Jewish. But it's also great for those with an interest in Jewish tradition, or anyone who simply enjoys a laugh!
A vibrant Kandinsky color plate, gold foil stamp and glossy black background are featured on the book's cover. Inside, each traditional masterpiece is shown opposite its converted version, allowing the reader to search for the sometimes obvious, sometimes more subtle differences. The works of art reproduced span from early 16th century classical Renaissance works to modern day pop art.
Every 'converted' painting is an original work by the author, most created with oil and acrylic on canvas in glowing color. Explanations of the Jewish content are provided alongside each reproduction for readers not familiar with Jewish observances. A special section of popular Yiddish expressions matched to famous works of art is sure to draw chuckles.
Converted Masters is an excellent conversation piece and a terrific gift for anyone Jewish. But it's also great for those with an interest in Jewish tradition, or anyone who simply enjoys a laugh!
157 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2016
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July 31, 2023
This unusual coffee-table book views works of art through frum (Orthodox Jewish) eyes.
Sometimes this involves presenting a painting as is, with a little Jewish commentary (e.g., Jackson Pollock's "Number 18, 1950" is retitled "Erev Shabbos Chaos").
Sometimes Frankel-Fersel creates a new work of art inspired by an artist's style or by a particular painting (e.g., "The Shidduch Background Check" portrays a series of 26 phone conversations à la Norman Rockwell's "The Gossips").
But this book is mostly remixes, in which classic paintings are transformed into scenes from observant Jewish life. Vermeer's "The Milkmaid" becomes "Baking Challah." Monet's "Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies" becomes "Tashlich." Seurat's "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" becomes "Chol HaMoed in the Park." And Munch's "The Scream" becomes "13 Guests and the Chulent Burnt!" I found it amusing.
The book seems to assume that the readers are Orthodox Jews, so I understand why public libraries might not own copies. (The Nassau County library system has none, so I requested and received the one copy owned by the Suffolk County system.)
For more details, see this review.
Sometimes this involves presenting a painting as is, with a little Jewish commentary (e.g., Jackson Pollock's "Number 18, 1950" is retitled "Erev Shabbos Chaos").
Sometimes Frankel-Fersel creates a new work of art inspired by an artist's style or by a particular painting (e.g., "The Shidduch Background Check" portrays a series of 26 phone conversations à la Norman Rockwell's "The Gossips").
But this book is mostly remixes, in which classic paintings are transformed into scenes from observant Jewish life. Vermeer's "The Milkmaid" becomes "Baking Challah." Monet's "Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies" becomes "Tashlich." Seurat's "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" becomes "Chol HaMoed in the Park." And Munch's "The Scream" becomes "13 Guests and the Chulent Burnt!" I found it amusing.
The book seems to assume that the readers are Orthodox Jews, so I understand why public libraries might not own copies. (The Nassau County library system has none, so I requested and received the one copy owned by the Suffolk County system.)
For more details, see this review.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review