Narrative Series Each of these series of paintings creates a distinct narrative; i.e. a story with a beginning, middle and end. They are meant to be seen as a complete group in a specific order,…
Narrative Series Each of these series of paintings creates a distinct narrative; i.e. a story with a beginning, middle and end. They are meant to be seen as a complete group in a specific order, and unfold episodically just like the stories in…
Narrative Series Each of these series of paintings creates a distinct narrative; i.e. a story with a beginning, middle and end. They are meant to be seen as a complete group in a specific order, and unfold episodically just like the stories in…
Genesis 28:10-22
10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. 11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and remained there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows,…
THE SARAH PAINTINGS OF RICHARD MCBEE
Traditionally the family has been a narrative institution: It was the past and it had a tale to tell of how things began, including the child himself; and it had counsel to give.
Lionel Trilling, Sincerity and Authenticity (1972), p.…
All images of Richard McBee's artwork may be reproduced for personal use. Any commercial use must be approved in writing by the artist. The use of images of other artwork on this website must be approved by those…
Written by Richard McBee
The Divine imperative underlies, indeed propels, the entire narrative of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar. God commands and tests our beloved protagonists. They must carefully parse His words and figure out what exactly He wants of them. It is their earnest reactions…
Written by Laura Kruger
The curtains have parted, the orchestra has forewarned us of an impending tragedy; the characters take their places center stage to interact with each other in a story that is well known to the audience. But like a great opera, it…
Written by Jonathan Mark
The First Mother maintains her hold on the Jewish imagination.
What were the first words in the Bible spoken by a Jew?
Was it about monotheism, social justice, the sanctity of land, peace or peoplehood?
Written by Richard McBee
God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, Sarah’s only child. Our forefather gets up early and obeys, not telling Sarah his wife of 47 years. According to Rashi (Genesis 23:2) when she finds out about this, she dies of shock.…
Written by Menachem Wecker
When Richard McBee talks about Abraham and Sarah's marriage, he calls it "a deeply problematic human relationship," which leads him to ask, "Do we look at biblical figures as paradigms of behavior?"
McBee is not a therapist who thinks he is living…
Written by Tom L. Freudenheim
Confronting Richard McBee’s series of paintings, Sarah’s Trials, is as much about engaging with the concept of Midrashic narrative and its multi-layered plotlines as it is about appreciating the paintings themselves. The duality of the painter’s deeply-rooted impulses, both reimagining…