Great Women of the Bible in Art and Literature [Hardcover]

Dorothee Solle (Author), Herbert Haag (Author), Ann-Marie Schnieper-Muller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1994

Historical fascination with women of the Bible has contributed a great wealth of artistic images, literature, legends, fables, and religious poetry to Western traditions. From heroic figures such as Judith and Esther to deep friends like Ruth and Naomi, the Bible presents a plenitude of women whose deeds and desires have inspired Western art and culture for more than two thousand years.

Culled from a larger, more expensive volume by the same authors first published by Eerdmans in 1994, this beautiful volume focuses on fifteen biblical characters and gloriously presents not only their stories but also more than 200 art-historical images of them, along with searching commentary by the late theologian Dorothee Soelle and discussion of their post-biblical legacies in art and literature by historian Joe Kirchberger.

The figures discussed include Eve and Lilith, Sarah and Hagar, Tamar, Ruth and Naomi, Abigail, Judith, Esther, the woman who anointed Jesus, Mary of Magdala, Mary and Martha, and many more. This is a beautiful gift book with real substance.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This splendid art book explores the various meanings artists have found in the Bible's female figures. Each section opens with the relevant citations from the good book itself, which are answered by S{™}olle's profound commentaries. After the story of Sarah, for instance, S{™}olle reflects on the meaning not only of that story but also of the parallel one of the enslaved Hagar, with its import for those who desire social justice. Further on in each section, extrabiblical materials drawn from ancient and medieval literature, Jewish folklore, and other related mythologies appear; in the Sarah section, these include the Islamic legend linking Hagar and her son Ishmael to the founding of Mecca. Finally in each section, a summary of postmedieval literature shows the ways the characters have been employed by European writers; for Sarah, we are reminded of Melville's choice for the name of Moby Dick's narrator: "Call me Ishmael." As for the illustrations--several per page--they range from ancient mosaics to contemporary paintings, with many florid Renaissance artworks in between. Tamar, Potiphar's wife, Deborah, Delilah, the Witch of Endor, Bathsheba, Judith, Mary of Magdala, and more appear in these pages, enlivened and enriched by the artists whom they have inspired. Patricia Monaghan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dorothee Soelle was Professor of Thrology at Union Theological Seminary, New York City, for thirteen years. Among her many influential writings are Great Couples of the Bible (2005;0-8006-3831-X), Theology for Skeptics (1994;0-8006-2788-1) and The Silent Cry (2001;0-8006-3266-4). She died in 2003.

Joe H. Kirchberger is an historian and journalist. He is co-author with Soelle of a book on Mary and editor of a 19-volume set of eyewitness reminiscences of World War 1. He lives in New York City. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 295 pages
• Publisher: Mercer University Press (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865544506
• ISBN-13: 978-0865544505
• Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 10.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,553,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An especially appropriate selection as a community library "Memorial Fund" acquisition., November 5, 2006

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Women of the Bible: In Art and Literature (Hardcover)

Benefitting from the professional art direction of Anne-Marie Schniper and an informative Foreword by herbert Haag, "Great Women Of The Bible In Art And Literature" by Dorothee Soelle (Professor of Theology, Union Theological Seminary, New York City) and historian Joe H. Kirchberger, offers and showcases biographical synopsis of the stories of the eleven women named in the bible, and one referred to only as the 'Woman with the Ointment', as represented in literature and art over the centuries. The women include Eve and Lilith (Adam's first wife referred to in Judaic commentaries on the Torah), Sara and Hagar, Tamar, Ruth the Moabit, Abigail, Judith, Esther, Mary and Martha, and Mary of Magdala. Enhanced with a bibliography, and a listing of literary sources, "Great Women Of The Bible In Art And Literature" offers an informed and informative text based upon biblical and non-biblical sources, along with superb paintings and visual images - perhaps the most unusual of which is a depiction of Lilith taken from a Persian amulet. A simply beautiful book from beginning to end, "Great Women Of The Bible In Art And Literature" is especially recommended for personal, church, seminary, and academic library collections - and would make an especially appropriate selection as a community library "Memorial Fund" acquisition.