Meshulam Zimmel ben Moses of Polna

18th Century

The scribe and copper engraver Meshullam Zimmel ben Moses of Polna was active in Prague, Polna (in Bohemia), and Vienna in the early eighteenth century. He was one of the most important Jewish scribes and artists of the eighteenth century. His patrons for his work as a scribe included the wealthiest Viennese court Jews of the time, but it is likely that he needed to work as a copper engraver in order to earn a living. Most of his works were privately commissioned small prayerbooks and Haggadahs.

Entries in the Posen Library by This Creator

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Haggadah

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This Haggadah was commissioned by Nathan ben Isaac Oppenheim of Vienna, a member of a prominent family of Court Jews. Its title page features a miniature of the sacrifice of Isaac being prevented by…

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The dedication page for Charles VI and his wife, Elizabeth Christina

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This dedication page made by Meshulam Zimmel for Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI (1711–1740) and his wife, Elizabeth Christina (1691–1750), whose portraits appear on the page, presents three versions of…