Bidspirit auction | (ANGLO-JUDAICA). AARON HART. Three-quarter length

(ANGLO-JUDAICA). AARON HART. Three-quarter length portrait engraving, standing with right arm resting on volume entitled ‘Beth Shmuel’ and clutching a document marked ‘Get.’ Lower register reads, “The Most Learned Aaron Hart Rabbi, Aged 81.” Mezzotint. Margins closely trimmed, laid onto board, repaired tear. 10 x 14 inches (25 x 35.6 cm). Rubens, Jewish Iconography no. 1526. London, G. Pulley, 1751. Aaron Hart (1670-1756) was appointed Rabbi of the Great Synagogue of London in 1705, occupying the position until his death.  The Get document prominently placed in this portrait was in reference to the part taken by him in a questionable divorce case. In his defense, he wrote ‘Urim VeTumim’ (1707) the first book printed in London entirely in Hebrew. See EJ Vol. VII col. 1350.