Portrait of Simcha Vaz (1582–1643), painted by her son, Moses Belmonte
Simcha (Gimar) Belmonte (born Vaz; 1582–1643) was the wife of Jakob Israel Belmonte (a poet, writer, and trader). She and her husband were among the founders of the Jewish community in Amsterdam after they moved there, having fled the Spanish Inquisition in 1610. This portrait bears the name of her son, Moses Belmonte, but the engraving is more likely to have been the work of his brother, Benjamin Godines Senior, who was an engraver. A poem in Portuguese below the portrait pays tribute to her. The object she is holding in her hand might be a small prayer book.
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Credits
Photo Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam, V0750. Collection Portuguese Jewish Community Amsterdam.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.
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