Eng. "The Jews of Worms refuse to be converted – year 1096".
Part of the "Diaspora" series created in 1968, Tobiasse’s "Diaspora" comprises a total of 19 color lithographs, each hand-signed by the artist and reflecting his exploration of Jewish identity, exile, and spiritual resilience.
Théo Tobiasse's painting Les Juifs de Worms refusent de se laisser convertir an 1096 is a powerful and evocative depiction of a tragic episode from the First Crusade in 1096. During this period, Jewish communities across the Rhineland, including the prominent and historic center of Worms in Germany, faced violent persecution and attempts at forced conversion by Crusaders.
Despite mounting threats, the Jews of Worms resolutely refused to abandon their faith. Many were brutally massacred, while others chose martyrdom rather than conversion. Tobiasse captures this moment of spiritual defiance and collective sacrifice with emotional intensity, embedding it within his broader exploration of Jewish identity, memory, and resilience.
