Uri Zvi Farn Tzelem INRI – Literary Art and Illustration

Here’s the second of three posts showing the cover art and illustrations of Albatros. Like the first, this second issue was published in Warsaw in 1922.

The following is from Foldari Books’ 2018 catalog description of this issue:

“All illustrations of the second issue (front and rear covers’ Expressionist linocuts, pencil drawing on rear cover, and two inner illustrations) were designed by Marek Szwarc. This number contains three of Greenberg’s texts “Der mentsh shrayt” (The Man Cries) “Uri Zvi farn tseylem INRI” (Uri Zvi in Front the Cross INRI) whose text is set in the form of a cross, and the blasphemous “Royte epl fun veybeymer” (Red Apples from the Trees of Pain). Ber Horowitz, Melekh Ravitch, Peretz Markish and Max Erik among others also contributed to this issue. Because of the scandalous writings, the journal was banned by the Polish authorities, Greenberg was accused of blasphemy and he fled to Germany to escape prosecution, thus the last double-issue was published in Berlin.”

My photo of the cover – featuring a linocut by Marek Szwarc – as published in the 1978 Jerusalem reprint…

…and, the cover of Foldari Books’ copy:

Here are the text of “Uri Zvi in Front of the Cross INRI” (Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews)”. This single image is actually a composite of groups of text on pages 3 and 4. In the original publication, on page 3, the text is arranged and limited to the form of a crucifix. On page 4, the text is arranged (like text most anywhere!) as successive horizontal lines. When combined, they form a crucifix and its base.

Here’s page 3 of Foldari Books’ copy, which clearly shows the quality of paper stock used in the periodical’s publication. Again, you can see how the text is constructed in the shape of a crucifix, which is surmounted by the text: Uri Zvi / farn tseylem / INRI.