Bronze sculpture on a granite base depicting Synagoga and Ecclesia.
Artwork Details
Medium
Bronze
Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Joshua Koffman
Role
Artist
Date made
2015
Time Period
21st Century
Place
City
Philadelphia
State/Province
Pennsylvania
Country
United States of America
Continent
North America
Dimensions
Dimension Description
Sculpture
Height
36-1/2 in
Width
50 in
Depth
27 in
Dimension Description
Pedestal
Height
50-1/2 in
Width
86-1/2 in
Depth
68 in
Interpretative Labels
Label
The medieval Christian Church often contrasted Judaism and Christianity (the Old and New Covenants) through the female personifications, Synagoga and Ecclesia. Typically, such depictions show Ecclesia crowned and triumphant, while Synagoga is blindfolded and dejected. However, in this example, Synagoga and Ecclesia sit side by side as equal figures in dialogue with one another. The statue was commissioned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of Nostra Aetate ("In Our Time"). This transformative document from the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) defined and celebrated a positive and collegial relationship of the Catholic Church to non-Christian religions. The statue was blessed by Pope Francis in 2015.
