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.

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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.

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