The Abandonment of the Marranos (48" x 36")
Artist's Comment
With the arrival of Hitler, Jews, that had converted to Christianity, many before the turn of the century, were without any real resistance abandoned by their churches to the terror of Nazi persecution and death in concentration camps. See "Edith Stein".
Docent Guide
"Marrano" was a derogatory term used to describe Jews who converted to Christianity in 14th and 15th century Spain. After the riots of 1381, there were many forced conversions. However, after the period of difficulty was over, many of these "conversos" did not return to Judaism, but found they had greater mobility in society as "New Christians." However, the Spain of Ferdinand and Isabella was determined to rid the country of Judaizing tendencies. The Spanish Jews were expelled in 1492, but the Marranos, now Catholics, were accused of secretly practicing Judaism, an act which made them heretics. Most were tried by the Spanish Inquisition and were killed by burning.
In this painting, Hirschberger raises the question of the twentieth century Marranos, the Jews of Germany who became Christians, were abandoned by the Churches, were isolated in the camps and died, in Nazi eyes, as Jews. It is important to understand that Nazi law undercut the Christian concept of mission to the Jews. Possibly, this may have been the first step in ultimately destroying Christianity, for, after all, Christianity was Judaic.
Hirshberger's image is derived from the medieval scenes of the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. Sebastian is an ideal model for the Marrano theme. He was a soldier and performed so well that the emperor Diocletian made him a captain without ever guessing Sebastian was a Christian. As more and more Christians died, it was inevitable that Sebastian would be found out. Diocletian was furious at what he saw as a betrayal after all he had done for Sebastian. He ordered Sebastian to be shot by archers.