Portrait of Menasseh ben Israel. Engraving by Salom Italia. [The Netherlands], 1642.
This portrait of Menasseh ben Israel is encircled with the Latin inscription: “Menasseh ben Israel Theologus et Philisophus Hebraeus / Peregrinando Quaerimus.” Underneath the portrait is a poem – also in Latin – singing his praises.

R. Menasseh ben Israel (1604-1657), French-born rabbi, preacher and statesman; founder of the first Hebrew press in Amsterdam. He was very active on behalf of the Jews in the Diaspora, and the Marranos of Spain and Portugal. He played an important role in the readmission of the Jews to England, after their expulsion in 1290 on the orders of Edward I. This is his most famous and important portrait.

The copper engraver Salom ben Mordechai Italia (also Italiae and d’Italia), who moved to the Netherlands from Mantua, Italy, was noted mostly as a creator and decorator of ketubot (Jewish marriage contracts) and Esther scrolls. However, he also gained fame thanks to this particular portrait of Menasseh ben Israel, as well as his portrait of Rabbi Jacob Judah Leon Templo. He died in the Netherlands, roughly 1655.

19X13.5 cm. Good condition. Fine, light-colored copy. Mounted on thick paper board (from the 19th century?), 23X17 cm, stains to corners.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.