Prof. Steven Fine to Lecture at USC about Polychromy in Ancient Synagogues

Prof. Steven Fine to Lecture at USC about Polychromy in Ancient Synagogues

(ISJM) Prof. Steven Fine of Yeshiva University will lecture about polychromy (color) in ancient synagogues as the Jerome Nemer Lecturer at the University of Southern California (USC) on November 10, 2008.

The title of the lecture is "The Color of Jewish Life: Imagining Polychromy in the Art of the Ancient Synagogue."

Fine, who has authored numerous important studies on ancient synagogue liturgy, art and architecture, studies polychromy's implications for interpreting the experience of liturgy in multicolored late antique synagogues. His lecture will also will also address the significance of this re-imagined synagogue art for the study of late antique religion. We now know that polychromy was the norm for much ancient scyultpure and architecture. We already know from surviving examples that synagogue floors and walls were foten covered with richly colored decoration. In this Nemer lecture, Prof. Fine will present literary and archaeological evidence for polychromy in ancient synagogue art and suggest possible reconstructions of ancient coloration of synagogue artifacts.

Commentary will follow by Bruce Zuckerman, Myron and Marian Casden Director of the USC Casden Institute and USC professor of Religion.

Monday, November 10, 2008 : 4:45pm to 6:45pm

University Park Campus
Davidson Conference Center
Embassy Room

Free.
Parking is $8.

RSVP [mail to: casden@college.usc.edu]