Jerusalem And The Holy Land Rediscovered:

Special Presentation Of Prints By David Roberts

NEW HAVEN — An exclusive New England exhibition of stunning 19th Century lithographs of the Holy Land is a highlight of the 2004 Christmas season at the Knights of Columbus Museum. “Jerusalem and the Holy Land Rediscovered,” a collection of 90 hand-tinted lithographs by the renowned Scottish topographical artist David Roberts, will remain on display for just two more weeks, until January 9.

Mr Roberts created the prints during an expedition to the Middle East during the years 1838–39, before the advent of photography, and he was one of the first artists to document the Holy Land visually, during a time when that region of the Middle East became more accessible to Westerners

The famous Scottish architectural and landscape painter traveled extensively through Egypt, what is now Israel, Jordan and Lebanon. He viewed the Sinai, Jerusalem, Petra, the Jordan Valley, Galilee and historic northern cities through an artist’ s eye.

Dressed in Middle Eastern garb so as not to draw attention, Mr Roberts journeyed from Mount Sinai in Egypt to Jerusalem and numerous sites in what are now modern-day Israel and Lebanon. His meticulously rendered vies of the sites, monuments and ruins of the landscape of the Bible have greatly influenced for subsequent generations the way we envision that ancient land.

His exquisite paintings immortalized the Holy Land of that period, capturing its beauty, sacred aura and mystique in a time capsule.

An extraordinary topographical artist, Mr Roberts presented a realistic, accurate rendition of the area and its inhabitants. The exquisite representation of local color, dress and customs in his images, as well as their artistic quality, technical refinement and detailed rendition of revered places, has for more than 150 years offered something for everyone.

Students and aficionados of art, history, geography and the Bible will find something to admire and enjoy. The works provide a beautiful record of the geographic and spiritual center of the world’s three major monotheistic religions.

The drawings of Mr Roberts’ tour were published as lithographs upon his return to England and are now part of Duke University’s Nasher Museum of Art. The lithographs were made by Mr Roberts for a very rare 1842 imperial edition under the patronage of Queen Victoria.

Ninety of Mr Roberts’ tinted and hand-colored lithographs, on loan from Duke University, form the Knights of Columbus exhibit.

On loan from Duke University’s Nasher Museum of Art, the exhibition was first shown at Duke in 1996 as part of a cooperative cultural exchange between Israel and North Carolina.

Knights of Columbus CEO Carl A. Anderson described the exhibit as “much more than simply an opportunity to present rare and beautiful depictions of life in the Middle East in the early 19th Century.

“It affords us an opportunity to build bridges among the three major religions that consider the Holy Land to be integral to their faiths. Mr Roberts’ travels took him to the birthplace of Christianity, the Promised Land and homeland of Judaism, and key sites important to Islam. In presenting this exhibit, we invite Christians, Jews and Muslims to focus on the values and beliefs we hold in common, and to share a hope that lasting peace will come to the Holy Land,” said Mr Anderson.

In addition to the “Holy Land” exhibit during the 2004 holiday season, the Knights of Columbus Museum continues to display 140 Vatican treasures in “Creating St Peter’s,” the centerpiece of which is Michelangelo’s magnificent 440-year-old dome model masterpiece. And from Harvard and private collectors, “Light from the Age of Augustine” includes 104 ceramics from the Roman Empire dating back an average of 1,500 years.

Because of the comprehensive holiday calendar, through January 9 the museum is open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. Beginning Monday, January 10, the museum will be closed for approximately one week to dismantle and remove “Holy Land” and “St Peter’s.” The museum will return to its winter schedule, open Wednesday to Sunday, featuring its extensive historical collection and temporary shows.

Tree Festival Still On View

Nearly 600 kindergarten through fifth-grade students from New Haven area Catholic schools created handmade ornaments and decorated 24 Christmas trees at the Knights of Columbus Museum.

The festive trees are the main attraction in the museum’s Fourth Annual Christmas Tree Festival, which will remain on display through January 9.

The theme of the event was “Christmas in the Holy Land,” modeled after the Jerusalem and the Holy Land Rediscovered exhibit.

Museum Director Larry Sowinksi said the event was an opportunity for children to learn about Catholic art and culture, as well as the Knights of Columbus.

“First impressions are the most important,” he said. “For these young students, this will be a great first impression.”

Each school was assigned a museum-supplied artificial tree to decorate. With help from museum staff and 23 volunteers from the Supreme Council office, students decorated the trees with ornaments they created in class. Museum staff and visitors judged the trees based on originality, creativity and grade level. Though first, second and third prizes were awarded, all participants were given something.