Auction 17 · Lot 484
(HART, AARON) 1724-1800
- Estimate
- $2,000–$3,000
- Hammer price
- $1,500
Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.
Place
London, 1751
Description
Three-quarter length portrait engraving, standing with right arm on book inscribed Beth Shmuel. In his left hand is a document marked Get. Lower register reads, “The Most Learned Aaron Hart Rabby Aged 81. Done from an original painting of B. Dandridge by H. James McArdell.”
references
Rubens 1526
summary
Rabbi Aaron Hart (1670-1756), born in Breslau, became Rabbi of the Great Synagogue of London in 1722 and filled that position until his death. The Get document noticeable in this portrait was in reference to the part taken by him in a remarkable divorce case in which he was implicated in a dispute concerning that divorce. In defense he published the "Urim VeTumim" (1707) the first book printed entirely in Hebrew in London and his only literary work. The book entitled Beth Shmuel served as the basis for his decision - he was a descendent of the author.
See EJ VII col. 1350