Lost Treasures: The Wooden Synagogues of Eastern Europe The Artwork of Bill Farran

Vitebsk, Belarus - Original Linocut

Vitsyebsk is one of the oldest European settlements and had a long Jewish presence. The first synagogue was built in 1627.

In modern times, Vitsyebsk was a large modern city with trade, industry, and culture. One hundred years ago, there were twenty-seven churches, and over fifty synagogues and prayer houses that included a large Hasidic presence.

There was an art school in Vitebsk run by Yehuda M. Pen that trained many leading artists including Marc Chagall and Solomon Yudovin. It is from their artwork that we can see the wooden synagogues of Vitsyebsk.

Because of the fighting during World War II, the Holocaust, and post war Soviet rule, all the synagogues, both wooden and stone, were destroyed. There are a handful of photos left to document the rich Jewish life of Vitsyebsk. World War II was very destructive for the people of Vitsyebsk. Almost all its Jews were murdered and very few Christians survived the fighting between the Nazis and the Red Army.

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.