The New York City artist Barbara Wolff is one of today's foremost illuminators. Her major exhibit at the Morgan Library & Museum in 2015, "Hebrew Illumination for Our Time: The Art of Barbara Wolff," laid the foundation for the Morgan's first collection of Jewish manuscripts. Subsequently her Haggadah, ten Illuminations on Psalm 104, The Book of Ruth, and lately, The Song of Songs, have all been acquired by and joined the Morgan's renowned collection of priceless manuscripts.
Her work has been exhibited at The NY Illustrators Club, The Jewish Theological Seminary, Yeshiva University Museum, The Museum of Biblical Art, and the Morgan Library & Museum.
Wolff has produced a number of films showing her at work. These may be viewed HERE. Her exploration of the world of nature as it relates to Biblical texts have been enriched by her background and work as a renowned natural science illustrator.
Wolff is a member of The American Society of Botanical Artists, The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, The American Society of Botanical Artists, The NY Society of Scribes, The Society of Gilders, and The Society of Scribes & Illuminators: London.
Wolff viewing the Haggadah at her 2015 "Art of Barbara Wolff" Morgan Library exhibition.
The Morgan celebrates the beauty and artistry of contemporary illumination in an exhibition of work by Barbara Wolff.
"For many museum-goers the use of rich gold and silver leaf to illuminate religious texts is an artistic practice that began—and ended— centuries ago. However, the process in all of its precision and beauty continues to this day, and a new exhibition at the Morgan Library & Museum highlights the work of celebrated contemporary artist Barbara Wolff. The show includes ‘You Renew the Face of the Earth: Psalm 104' and the Rose Haggadah. The manuscripts feature gold, silver, and platinum foils on vellum with imagery drawn from nature, archaeology, and religious custom in a 21st-century ode to the long history of Jewish illumination."
—The Society of Scribes &
—Illuminators, London 3/15
From a review of Wolff's Morgan
2015 exhibition.