Art of Matrimony: 30 Splendid Marriage Contracts From the Jewish Theological Seminary June 25, 2011

One of the world's foremost collections of decorated Jewish marriage contracts (ketubbot) is held by The Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. Thirty of the finest are on display at The Jewish Museum in 'The Art of Matrimony: Thirty Splendid Marriage Contracts from The Jewish Theological Seminary Library.' From one of the earliest known decorated pieces (twelfth century) to recent creations, these exquisite ketubbot provide a wealth of information on the artistic creativity, cultural interactions and social history of the communities in which they were created. Ketubbot, which typically record the bridegroom's obligations to his bride in case of death or divorce, have been integral to Jewish marriage for millennia. They were kept in the homes of married Jews, be they wealthy or poor, scholar or layman, living in the West under Christian governance or in the East under Muslim rule. The largest number of ketubbot in the Library's extraordinary collection are from Italy, where the art of the decorated ketubbah found its most beautiful expression during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries under the influence of Renaissance and Baroque art. Magnificent examples of Eastern marriage contracts from Egypt, Persia, Afghanistan and India, each absorbing the visual language of the surrounding culture, are also on view.