Portrait of R. Moshe Nasch Rabbi of Zwolle – Engraving – The Netherlands, Early 19th Century

Portrait of R. Moshe son of Yoel Nasch (Nias), rabbi of Zwolle (the Netherlands) – engraving by A. Joëls, partially hand-colored. [The Netherlands, early 19th century].
The engraving is a portrait of R. Moshe son of Yoel Nasch within a round frame resting on three books he authored. Beneath the portrait, the following inscription is printed: "The portrait… of the perfect scholar, the honored and renowned R. Moshe Nasch, rabbi and dean of the Zwolle community…".
R. Moshe son of Yoel Nasch (or: of Nasch) served as posek in Nijkerk (Gelderland) for some thirty years. In 1802, he was appointed rabbi of Zwolle (Overijssel). He passed away in Elul, 1807. In the preface to his book Yismach Moshe (Leiden, 1771), he recounts his life story in flowery terms. He relates that in his youth, he served as preacher, and would wander from one city to another "to instruct the people on the paths of repentance and to straighten their ways". He was once indicted on false charges and imprisoned by the authorities. Thanks to the efforts of R. Shaul Rabbi of Amsterdam and his brother-in-law R. Shaul Halevi Rabbi of The Hague, he was later released. After his wedding, he was appointed posek of Nijkerk, upon receiving a rabbinic ordination from R. Shaul Rabbi of Amsterdam, and near the end of his life, he served as rabbi of Zwolle. Apart from his book Yismach Moshe, he composed a prayer order in honor of the inauguration of the Nijkerk synagogue (Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit, Amsterdam, 1801). This portrait documents three books he authored, named: Yismach Moshe, VaYoel Moshe and VaYaster Moshe. Apart from Yismach Moshe (printed in 1771), his other books are currently unknown.
[1] leaf. 9.5X16 cm. Good condition. Light stains to margins and verso.