Rahel Fronda, PhD

Hebrew and Judaica Deputy Curator, Bodleian Library
Hebrew and Judaica Antiquarian Cataloguer, College libraries
University of Oxford

“Hebrew micrography in medieval Ashkenazi Bibles is my area of expertise since my doctoral studies. Micrography as a scribal art includes both text and image, and the study of medieval micrographic codices involves the disciplines of Hebrew palaeography, codicology and art. My research has identified the development of micrographic art in Ashkenaz, and I have discussed the considerable manuscript corpus that has survived. I have been interested in the existence of this unique form of Jewish art in Ashkenaz despite the disapproval of it by contemporary pietistic circles, and its similarities and differences from Hebrew manuscripts with painted illumination of the same period and environment.

I suggest a few groups of related micrographic Bibles that were produced by several professionals, working closely together, similar to master-apprentice relationships, but also passing on the skills from father to son, as extant Ashkenazi manuscripts demonstrate. Employing tools of codicology, palaeography and Jewish art, I offer possible methods for dating and localising some of these magnificent Hebrew Bibles. It is also fascinating to consider the role of micrography: it is decorative, illustrative, and also functional as a visual device that guides the reader from one part of the text to another.

The growth of viable medieval Jewish communities around the central routes of trade in German lands contributed to the emergence of wealthy patrons as consumers of luxury goods. In my view, from the late thirteenth century onwards Hebrew manuscripts were commissioned not only for private study purposes but also as status symbols. My research scrutinises this significant period in Jewish history when there is an increasing demand for handwritten books that results in a high professionalisation of Hebrew scribes and artists.”

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