Lost Treasures: The Wooden Synagogues of Eastern Europe The Artwork of Bill Farran
Olkieniki, Lithuania - Original Linocut
Olkieniki, Lithuania - Original Linocut
Olkenik [Yid] Valkininkai [Lith], Olkieniki [Pol]
The Valkininkai synagogue was built at the end of the wooden synagogues period. A worshipers' meeting took place in 1790 and they demanded that a new synagogue be built after the old synagogue burnt down. The construction started in 1798 and was completed two years later. The outside looked like a Chinese pagoda–a typical synagogue style of that period.
The Ark was covered with a parochet, the curtain over the Aron Kodesh (Torah Ark). The parochet in Valkininkai was incredibly famous. It is told that when Napoleon Bonaparte passed through the town on his way to Russia, he admired the artwork of the synagogue's interior. In appreciation, he ordered a section cut from the cover under his saddle and gave it to the town and to the synagogue. The town's leaders prepared a parochet from the cover. The words “Gloria et Patria” (for glory and fatherland) were embroidered on the parochet's corners.
During the first days of the Lithuanian occupation by Nazi Germany, all the town’s synagogues were burned down.
Purchase a print
Original linocut prints are 8x10 inches, and are available either unmatted or in an 11x14 matte.
I also offer matted 5x7 digital prints. These prints are created from high-res digital images and come in an 8x10 matte.
For this synagogue I have created an additional digital print, with Hebrew lettering in the background. These prints are also created from high-res digital images and come in an 8x10 matte.