Nathan The Wise
Conceptual Project
Playwright: Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Time: Jerusalem 1189-1192
Set during the Third Crusade, the play follows Nathan, a Jewish merchant, as he unwittingly becomes entangled with a Templar Knight and the sultan Saladin. Exploring themes of religious tolerance, the play enabled me to research clothing worn by Muslim, Jewish and Christian groups during the Middle Ages. Surprisingly, there was much overlap between the three, including the use of qamis (tunics), patterns (such as stripes) and certain textiles. Finding ways to incorporate these similarities while preserving each cultures’ distinct traits was fascinating.