Lot 423
Portrait of the Maharsha - Engraving - Vienna, 1814
Portrait of R. Shmuel Eidels, the Maharsha, engraving by Sebastian Langer (1772-1841). [Out of the book Chiddushei Halachot by the Maharsha, Vienna: Georg Holzinger, 1814].
The engraving shows a Torah scholar sitting by his table, in front of an open Tractate Berachot, with a quill in his hand, starting to write his commentary. This portrait is attributed to the Maharsha. He is seen here with long locks of hair (reputedly, he grew his hair long in order to attach his locks to a nail in the ceiling, so that if his head nods in sleep while studying, the pulling of his hair will wake him).
Verses printed at the bottom of the engraving, one from Kohelet and two from the Book of Devarim. Signed in print: "Sebastian Langer fecit" (in Hebrew).
[1] leaf. 34X39 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Marginal damage and tears, professionally restored.
