Jessica

myminifactory

This sculpture is a marble bust portrait of a young lady named Jessica. In Shakespeare's famous play The Merchant of Venice, Jessica is the daughter of Shylock, a wealthy Jew who lends money to Christian merchants, including Antonio. When Antonio fails to repay Shylock, the moneylender's fortunes take a dramatic turn and he suffers financial ruin. This gripping drama may have resonated deeply with Moses Ezekiel due to its nuanced portrayal of Jews. As an American Jew living in Italy, Ezekiel likely identified strongly with Shylock, who was denied citizenship in Venice because of his faith. Ezekiel's sculpture, Jessica, turns her head as if to whisper a haunting phrase: "I am never merry when I hear sweet music," a line from the play that the sculptor thoughtfully inscribed on the base of the bust.