How does Bella and Hanna. The Eldest Daughters of M. L. Nathanson elucidate its History?
Around 1820 Eckersberg painted many portraits for the wealthy bourgeoisie of Copenhagen. The merchant Mendel Levin Nathanson, who had supported him early in his career, also ordered two paintings from him. Nathanson was a leading man within the Copenhagen Jewish community. He campaigned for equal rights for the Jews, but also gave a significant portion of his wealth to charity for the poor part of the Jewish population. At the end of his life he published an important book on the history of Judaism in Denmark. Thus, although Nathanson remained true to his faith throughout his life, his children, with his consent, converted to Christianity.
Mendel Levin Nathanson