What happens when the ink freezes, but the words still need to be written?
This original papercut is inspired by Shem Tov ben Isaac ben Ardutiel, a 14th-century Jewish poet in Castile whose poem The War of the Pen Against the Scissors explores the rivalry between writing and papercutting. The story captured my imagination and sent me searching for the history of Jewish papercut art.
A winter castle overlooks a frozen river above two entwined dragons, one with a feather for a tongue and the other with scissors. Below, Shem Tov cuts an open scroll, surrounded by geometric patterns, Stars of David, and books marked in Hebrew and Spanish. A fallen inkwell recalls the winter night at the heart of the story.
I created this piece to explore the relationship between Jewish learning, artistic expression, and the traditions that make Jewish papercutting distinctive. It is a celebration of the ingenuity involved in turning a sheet of paper into a story.
Details
• Artwork Size: 17 × 25 inches, framed outside dimensions
• Framing: Includes the white cradled wood frame
• Medium: Layered cut paper and watercolor
• Artwork: Original, hand-cut Jewish papercut artwork
Read the story behind the artwork and my exploration of Jewish papercutting in the accompanying blog post.
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Your artwork will be carefully packaged for safe arrival. Shipping charges cover shipping and packaging.
International shipping charges cover shipping and packaging. Any customs duties, import taxes, brokerage fees, or other charges imposed by the destination country are the responsibility of the recipient.
What happens when the ink freezes, but the words still need to be written?
This original papercut is inspired by Shem Tov ben Isaac ben Ardutiel, a 14th-century Jewish poet in Castile whose poem The War of the Pen Against the Scissors explores the rivalry between writing and papercutting. The story captured my imagination and sent me searching for the history of Jewish papercut art.
A winter castle overlooks a frozen river above two entwined dragons, one with a feather for a tongue and the other with scissors. Below, Shem Tov cuts an open scroll, surrounded by geometric patterns, Stars of David, and books marked in Hebrew and Spanish. A fallen inkwell recalls the winter night at the heart of the story.
I created this piece to explore the relationship between Jewish learning, artistic expression, and the traditions that make Jewish papercutting distinctive. It is a celebration of the ingenuity involved in turning a sheet of paper into a story.
Details
• Artwork Size: 17 × 25 inches, framed outside dimensions
• Framing: Includes the white cradled wood frame
• Medium: Layered cut paper and watercolor
• Artwork: Original, hand-cut Jewish papercut artwork
Read the story behind the artwork and my exploration of Jewish papercutting in the accompanying blog post.
————————
Your artwork will be carefully packaged for safe arrival. Shipping charges cover shipping and packaging.
International shipping charges cover shipping and packaging. Any customs duties, import taxes, brokerage fees, or other charges imposed by the destination country are the responsibility of the recipient.
