Elijah KANAREK (1902-1969), Still life with pomegranate fruit and grapes

Own technique, encaustic, plate;
35.5 x 56 cm.

The pomegranate is a fruit that is rich in symbolism, and there are specific references to it in the Jewish Bible.
It is one of Israel's seven crops (along with wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives and dates) mentioned in Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25.
Exodus 28: 33-34 states that images of pomegranates are woven into the seam of the me'il ("robe of ephod"), the garment worn by the Hebrew high priest.
Pomegranates can also be found in the Book of Kings, 7: 13-22, where the fruit is depicted on the capitals of two pillars that stood in front of the temple built by King Solomon in Jerusalem. King Solomon is said to have designed his crown based on the "crown" of the pomegranate.
The pomegranate's importance to Jews is further illustrated by its appearance on ancient coins of Judea, one of the few images where it appears as a sacred symbol.
In Jewish tradition, pomegranates are a symbol of fertility and love, so that they are frequently mentioned in, among other places, Song of Songs 4: 3 : - "Your cheeks are like a band of crimson; wonderful are your lips. Your forehead under the veil [shines] like open pomegranate fruit."
Jewish tradition also teaches that the pomegranate is a symbol of righteousness, knowledge, learning and wisdom, since it is said to have 613 seeds, which correspond to 613 mitzvot, or Torah commandments.
In general, pomegranate fruit is mentioned in seventeen biblical verses.
It is also interesting to note that many Jewish scholars believe that the pomegranate, and not the apple, was the "forbidden fruit" of the Garden of Eden. In fact, the beauty of the pomegranate translates well into modern art, and its deep red color and rich symbolism make it an ideal subject for artists.
[source: https://dzismis.com/2022/09/29/owoc-granatu-2/]