This is odd. In the תולדות רבנו מנחם עזריה מפאנו, which was published in 1903 there is an image of Rabbi Menachem Azariah of Fano (1548-1620).1
I don't think it requires any special expertise to recognize that this is a late portrayal. This was not drawn in the 17th century.
What's a bit odd is the following. Compare with pioneer of Reform Rabbi Aron Chorin:
I wonder.
1 See here for many of his works.
they dont look the same, why cant this be a 17th cen painting?
ReplyDeleteI think they look similar, but I'll grant the point.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying I'm a great art history expert, but I know enough art to feel confident in asserting that nothing about this painting looks 17th century.