Jewish Sculpture in New Orleans Reflects Tale of Sacrifice

AOA NEWS
By Tahlib

"Sacrifice III" (1949-57 by Jacques Lipchitz. Bronze, 55” x 40” x 25”

LOUISIANA - Jewish sculptor Jacques Lipchitz is considered by many to be the modern successor to Auguste Rodin because of his handling of symbolic themes in an expressive manner and in his preference for modeling his materials over carving. He created the sculpture "Sacrifice III" (above) between 1949-57 reflecting his interest in mythological and biblical subjects. Today it rests in a park in New Orleans. Sacrifice III depicts the Biblical story of Abraham and the sacrifice of Isaac. Lipchitz uses allegory to portray Isaac as the rooster in Abraham’s hands. The ram that was sent to replace Isaac is shown between Abraham’s legs. He worked on various versions of Sacrifice II between 1949 and 1957. These are years that the artist spent in the United States, having taken refuge here during World War II. It reflects his personal experience of persecution and displacement, as well as the modern Jewish practice of sacrifice (See Kapporet). In 1941 with the Nazi invasion, Lipchitz fled to New York, where he lived and worked until his death in 1973.