Portret van de Rotterdamse rabbijn Arjeh Leib Breslau 1770 - 1791

This is Mathias de Sallieth’s portrait of Rotterdam Rabbi Arjeh Leib Breslau, an engraving printed on paper. The composition immediately presents a study in contrasts. Notice how the detailed rendering of Breslau’s face, beard and fur hat pulls the viewer into the fine lines of his expression, set against the rigid geometric patterns framing the oval of the portrait. This interplay highlights an intellectual tension, a dialogue between tradition and modernity that would have resonated with its 18th-century audience. The use of line is particularly striking. De Sallieth employs a delicate hatching technique to create the illusion of depth and texture, giving Breslau a palpable presence. Yet, this depth is contained within the stylized frame, emphasizing the subject's role within a structured social and theological order. Note how the Hebrew inscription, acting as a border, reinforces the portrait's function as both an artistic representation and a cultural artifact deeply embedded in its time.