Interior of a Synagogue, Alessandro Magnasco (c.1725)

Interior of a Synagogue, Alessandro Magnasco (c.1725)

Alessandro Magnasco’s Interior of a Synagogue transforms a moment of worship into a scene of mystical drama. Vast architectural space unfolds under his brush, populated by elongated, almost spectral figures caught in the rhythm of prayer and ritual. Bursts of light dance across a subdued palette of earth tones, creating an atmosphere at once solemn and otherworldly.

Though Magnasco was not Jewish, the synagogue became one of his most frequently revisited subjects—a choice that reflects both curiosity and the Enlightenment-era fascination with communities seen as outsiders. His loose, darting brushwork and expressive caricature-like forms depart from traditional Baroque grandeur, offering instead a vision that is intimate, enigmatic, and charged with spiritual presence. Commissioned by progressive patrons, works like this suggest an affinity for the Enlightenment ideal of religious tolerance, even as Magnasco’s personal stance remains a mystery.

Cotton and polyester canvas on Radiata pine wood frame sourced from renewable forests. Includes back mounting.