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.
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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.

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