The Rabbi’s Blessing
1838
Sir Frederic William Burton (1816-1900)
Watercolor on board
54 x 67 cm (21 x 26 inches)
Signed and dated top right: Fred W. Burton, A.R.H.A. Felit. 1838
Label on verso: “A Chief Rabbi Blessing the Children of a Polish Jew” Frederic W. Burton
A Window to the past
This exceptional watercolor by Sir Frederic William Burton, titled The Rabbi’s Blessing, is a rare and poignant depiction of Jewish life in the 19th century. The painting captures a deeply spiritual moment, showing a chief rabbi in full rabbinic attire bestowing a blessing upon a young boy. The boy’s father, dressed to reflect his affluence, listens intently, while his daughter stands nearby, her attention drawn elsewhere. An elderly man, possibly an emissary (Shadar) from the Middle East, stands at the entrance, suggesting a broader narrative of cultural connections.
The composition is remarkable for its detailed portrayal of Jewish customs and the intimate atmosphere it creates. The rabbi’s hands hover over the boy in a gesture of prayer, and a prayer book lies open on a pedestal, emphasizing the religious significance of the scene. Burton’s ability to convey such a warm and sympathetic depiction of Jewish life is particularly noteworthy given his non-Jewish background and the period in which he worked.
Exciting Discovery.
After careful examination, it seems reasonable to assume that the chief rabbi in the painting is none other than the First Chief Rabbi of England Rabbi Solomon Hirschell.
Rabbi Solomon Hirschell (1762-1842) was the son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Levin Berliner, and great-grandson of the Chacham Tzvi. He took over his father’s position as Rabbi of the Asheknazic community in London. He later became the first recognized chief rabbi of Great Britain, a position he held for over forty years. His authority was recognized throughout the British Empire including South Africa and other countries. He corresponded with the Anglo-Jews in New York who referred to him as the “High Priest of England.” He advocated for the well-being of Jews all over the world, particularly the Jews living in Israel with their challenging conditions. He was admired by all Jews in London and upon his passing a remarkable funeral was held attended by the masses. Furthermore, a coin with his portrait was minted in his honor.
He corresponded with the great rabbonim in his times, among them Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Margolius, Rabbi Akivah Eiger, and the Chassam Sofer.
Some of his writings were published in Sefer Hayovel Tiferes Yisroel p. 219- 242.
About the Artist:
Sir Frederic William Burton was a distinguished Irish Victorian painter known for his work primarily in watercolor. He was a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts and served as the director of the National Gallery, London, from 1874 to 1894. Knighted by Queen Victoria in 1884, his works are held in major collections, including the Dublin Museum of Art and the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Burton’s The Rabbi’s Blessing stands as an early and significant portrayal of Jewish cultural and religious life in the United Kingdom, predating similar themes by Solomon Alexander Hart.
This artwork offers a unique window into the rich cultural heritage of 19th-century Jewish life and reflects Burton’s exceptional skill in capturing the depth of human experience and cultural identity.
Provenance and :
Exhibition
–
1838: Painted in Dublin, Ireland by a young Frederic William Burton.
–
1839: Exhibited in Belfast under the title “A Chief Rabbi Blessing the Children of a Polish Jew, R.H.A., 1838.
It was praised as
‘one of the redeeming pictures of the present exhibition’ by the Evening Mail on July 25, 1838.
– Purchased by Mrs. Johnston for thirty guineas.
– Lent by Rev. R. Johnston to The Dublin Exhibition, 1872
-Subsequently acquired by Ridgway Greeves of Belfast, as indicated by the original label on the verso.
– Galerie Martal, Montreal, Canada
– Isaac Alt, Montreal
– Perhaps you are the one
For more information about the artist and this painting, please visit the Library Ireland website.
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