#almond tree
Honored to have placed third at the fifth annual Judeica Show this year! Many thanks to the Hillells of the Florida Suncoast for hosting the event.
This year the theme was, The Book of Numbers. It felt nice to take some time and do some reading and research for this piece.
It is said that Aaron’s rod, was made of an almond branch, and upon his appointment as resurrected High Priest, his rod budded and flowered, as a sign that he was chosen to lead the generations forward.
The almond tree is a progressive symbol in the Jewish faith of new life and new beginnings. As it’s amongst the first to bloom and awaken from winter’s sleep, I noted strong parallels with the new generation of Israelites who awaken in faith and new leadership to move their people forward to a better life.
Audrey Benjaminsen 2014
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Phyllis and Demophoön (1905), by J.W. Waterhouse
Princess Phyllis was turned into an almond tree by the gods to punish Demophoön, who had broken his vow to marry her. Full of remorse, Demophoön caresses the tree that immediately starts to flower. Because Phyllis forgives him, their souls are reunited, but she does not regain her human body so their love remains spiritual.
Waterhouse had used the theme of bodies transforming into trees earlier in “A Hamadryad” (1893) and he will use it again in “Apollo and Daphne” (1908). The work was originally bought by the Henderson family, but its location was unknown for a long time, until it recently reappeared in a private collection.
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