Obj. ID: 15415
Jewish Architecture  Craftsmen's (Tailors') Synagogue in Târgu Neamț - Wall paintings

To the main object: Craftsmen's (Tailors') Synagogue in Târgu Neamț - Prayer Hall

The Craftsmen's or Tailors' Synagogue (Sinagoga Meseriasilor) in Târgu Neamț was built in 1870. It was renovated in 1914 and renovated again in 1977. The original paintings were probably made in the 1920s. The 1977 renovation reproduced an old decoration program, which was documented by Zusia Efron in 1969.

The artist took advantage of the old iconography and composition, but he much simplified and primitivized images and composition. He also, obviously, simplified color paintings.

Thus, the southern wall features the Zodiac signs from Libra to Pisces (from right to left, starting from the west), intermingled with landscapes and a painting, representing a tent (probably the symbol of the Tribe of Gad). The Northern wall features the Zodiac signs from Aries to Virgo (from right to left, starting from the east), intermingled with landscapes, a painting of snake (probably the symbol of the Tribe of Dan) and a painting of a deer (probably the symbol of the Tribe of Naphtali). On the eastern wall, there is a painting of a wolf, probably representing the symbol of the Tribe of Benjamin. All those paintings are placed in pairs in the upper part of the wall, between painted columns. Blue and white Zionist flags and blue and white Stars of David are depicted under each pair of paintings.

In the lower register of the northern wall, there are the paintings representing the Temple of Jerusalem and Psalm 137 (By the Rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, we wept ... We hanged our harps upon the willows ...). 

The painter copied images from the old paintings on the same place. 

The remaining parts of the wall feature a stencil depiction of a menorah. A large Magen David is painted on the ceiling.