Object Alone

Obj. ID: 53309  Holocaust memorial in Oratorio Israelitico Synagogue in Casale Monferrato, Italy, 1998

© Samuel D. Gruber, Photographer: Gruber, Samuel D., July 2023

Name of Monument

Untitled [Holocaust memorial]

Who/What is Commemorated?

The deported and killed Jews of Casale Monferrato and Moncalvo

Description

The (modern) elevator is installed at the far end of this space, to the left of the memorial. The memorial – a mixed-media artwork – is affixed to a wall in the corner of a large room off the synagogue courtyard. The memorial is made of several parts, with one small element, an inscribed oval of glass set between the elevator and the corner commemorating the Jews of Moncalvo. Most of the artwork under an arch is to the right of the corner.

The most visually impressive part of the memorial is eleven roughly rectangular terracotta panels fitted together mosaic-like into four irregular rows. Together, they resemble a wall of large blocks to recall the Kotel (Western Wall) of the Jerusalem Temple. Six of the panels bear Hebrew words in large, raised letters. Between some of the terracotta panels are inserted what looks like folded or rolled paper notes – but made of clay.

Inserted from the highest point of the ceiling vault arch into the second row of ceramic tiles of the “wall” is a tall narrow glass panel on which are inscribed the names of the Holocaust victims from Casale.

To the right of the panel and the upper right of the ceramic “wall” are six pieces of glazed ceramic. These are affixed to the wall in an irregular pattern and appear to float from the ceiling down toward the memorial. Each piece is roughly rectangular, but the clay was bunched when wet, so each piece undulates, like paper in the wind. One piece is glazed white, there other in three shades of blue. These represent more notes left at Kotel.

Inscriptions

On oval panel:

1938

LEGGI RAZZIALI

1944

ARRESTATI A MONCALVO

IL 19-14 MAGGIO

UCCISI AD AUSCHWITZ

[4 NAMES]

 IN RICORDO DELLA

ANTICA E FIORENTE

COMUNITÀ EBRAICA

DI MONCALVO

Translation: 1938 / Racial laws / 1944 / Arrested in Moncalvo / May 19-14 / Murdered in Auschwitz / [4 Names] / In remembrance of antique and flourishing / Jewish community / of Moncalvo.

On tall narrow panel:

1938 LEGGI RAZZIALI

1943-1945

DEPORTATI E UCCISI

[59 NAMES, alphabetical by last name]

IN MEMORIA AI CASALESI

PER NON DIMENTICARE

1998 – 22 NOVEMBRE

5759 – 3 KISLEV

Translation: 1938 racial laws / 1943-1945 / Deported and murdered / [List of 59 names, alphabetical by last name] / In memory of the residents of Casale / in order not to forget / 1998 - November 22 / 5759  

מונפירטו קאסאלי ק ק

Translation The holy community of Casale Monferrato

COMMUNITÀ EBRAICA

DI CASALE MONFERRATO

Translation: Jewish Community of Casale Monferrato

Hebrew words on the ceramic tiles:

שואה

 נט 

שלום

מדור לדור

Translation: Shoah / ? / Peace /  From generation to generation

Commissioned by

Jewish Community of Casale Monferrato

Documenter
|
Author of description
Samuel D. Gruber | 2024
Architectural Drawings
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Computer Reconsdivuction
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Section Head
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Language Editor
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Donor
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11 image(s)

Name / Title
Holocaust memorial in Oratorio Israelitico Synagogue in Casale Monferrato | Unknown
Monument Setting
Synagogue (active)   
{"10":"Any immovable marker or memorial that specifically references the Holocaust."}
Object Detail
Completion Date
1998
Active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Racalcati, Antonio (artist)
{"5255":"1938-2022"}
Location
Italy | Piedmont | Casale Monferrato
| 44 Vicolo Salomone Olper
Site
Unknown
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Unknown |
Material / Technique
Unglazed ceramic (terracotta)
Glazed ceramic
Glass
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
approximately 3 by 3 meters
Height
Length
Width
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
0
Custom
Contents
Codicology
Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Signature

Antonio Racalcati, Untitled, 1998

Colophon
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Binding
Decoration Program
Summary and Remarks
History

The memorial commemorates two decisive events of the Holocaust that affected the Jews of Casale Monferrato.  At the top: 1938, the year the racial laws were enacted in Fascist Italy, and 1943-1945, the years of the deportations.

 The artist, Antonio Recalcati, was a friend to the community and helped found the Jewish Community Museum’s impressive collection of modern and contemporary Hanukkah lamps.

Main Surveys & Excavations
Sources

Casale Ebraica, https://www.casalebraica.org/en/jewish-museum/entrance-and-shoah-memorial, https://www.casalebraica.org/en/jewish-museum/entrance-and-shoah-memorial.

Pavoncello, Eliana. “Antonio Recalcati, artista discreto e profondo. Il 4 dicembre ci ha lasciati un’artista di fama internazionale, ben radicato e amato a Casale Monferrato,” Riflessi, https://riflessimenorah.com/la-comunita-di-casale-monferrato-ricorda-antonio-recalcati/ (accessed February 28, 2024)

“L’accensione delle Luci della Memoria all’ingresso del complesso ebraico di Casale Monferrato,” Monferrato Web TV, Jan 20, 2023., https://www.monferratowebtv.it/2023/01/30/laccensione-delle-luci-della-memoria-allingresso-del-complesso-ebraico-di-casale-monferrato/ (accessed February 28, 2024)
Type
The following information on this monument will be completed: