Portrait of David Nieto

James McArdell

David Esteves

ca. 1745–1765

Portrait of a bearded man seated at desk wearing a wig and collar, holding a quill in his right hand and turning the page of book with his left hand, with bookshelf in background and globe and inkwell on desk.

This portrait of David Nieto was printed by James McArdell after a painting by David Esteves, London. David Nieto studied medicine in Padua and initially served as physician, preacher, and rabbinic judge in Leghorn (Livorno). In 1701, he was appointed ḥakham (rabbi) of the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation in London (he became the first rabbi of the Bevis Marks Synagogue), and his contract required that he cease practicing medicine. A philosopher and astronomer, Nieto knew many languages and was familiar with contemporary philosophical and religious thought, as well as secular learning.

Credits

James McArdell, after David Esteves, Portret van David Nieto, c. 1745–1765. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

Mateh Dan (The Tribe of Dan)

My friends desired me to record the discussions I have had with those who reject the authority of the Oral Law; and, in compliance with their desire, I have gathered all that I found bearing on that…

View Source

Printed page of Spanish text under decorative, columned archway with lintel featuring winged men with helmets holding banners on either side of portrait of bearded man holding a book.

Spanish Edition of David Nieto’s Mateh Dan (The Tribe of Dan)

This is a Spanish edition of David Nieto’s Mateh Dan (The Tribe of Dan). David Nieto’s best-known work constitutes a defense of the oral law and rabbinic tradition, addressed to former New Christians…

View Source

Letter to Mordechai Margoliot

To the great master, the stronghold and tower, his name is increasingly great, he is my beloved master, the juice of my pomegranate (Song of Songs 8:2), my olive brimming with oil, Josheb-basshebeth a…

View Source

Letter to Isaiah Bassan

O great mountain (Zechariah 4:7), the exalted and raised (Isaiah 52:13), precious cornerstone (Isaiah 28:16), my teacher, my rabbi, may the Merciful One guard and bless him, may God protect him and…

View Source

Emunat omen (The True Faith)

These hypocrites maliciously break all Ten Commandments. All they do is only for show. They pride themselves that they believe in the existence of God, may He be blessed, while in truth it is not so…

View Source

Latin-Hebrew Edition of Jossipon

The supposed author of Josippon (an account of Jewish history from the Garden of Eden to the destruction of the Second Temple) was Josephus Flavius, though it is now generally believed that the book…

View Source

Engage with this Source

Creator Bio

James McArdell

1729–1765

James McArdell was an Irish mezzotinter and engraver. Born in Dublin, Ireland, he followed his first teacher to London in 1746 and opened up his first print shop there. He produced mostly portraits and is considered the most outstanding mezzotinter of what is known as the Dublin school.

Creator Bio

David Esteves

17th Century

Little is known about David Esteves (also known as Estevens). He is believed to have been a Sephardic Jew who lived in Denmark in the late seventeenth century. After receiving training from an artist from Paris, he began working in Copenhagen. It is believed that Esteves traveled to and or settled in London in 1703.

Related Guide

Early Modern Trade and Mercantilism

1500–1750

International trade drove Jewish mobility during the age of mercantilism, as Jewish merchants formed wide commercial networks and partnerships and developed cosmopolitan attitudes that facilitated civic inclusion.

Related Guide

Spinoza and the Heterodox Challenge

1500–1750

Baruch Spinoza is notable for rejecting Judaism without converting to Christianity. After his excommunication from Amsterdam's Sephardic community, he developed the basis of modern biblical criticism.