Baron Rothschild Group Portrait Oil Painting Circa 1890

About the Item

Our charming painting, German School, circa 1890, depicts Sir Nathan Mayer Rothschild, 2nd Baronet (1840-1915), made Baron Rothschild in 1885, on the far right side, entertaining a gathering in an elegant garden. Unsigned. Stretcher measures 24.5 by 30 inches. Period giltwood and gesso frame measures 34.5 by 40.5 inches. On verso erroneously inscribed 'Baron Rothschild hebst freunden beim Vestrey July 1834 gemelen von F.v E., or 'Baron Rothschild loving friends at Vestrey July 1834 by F.v E'. The inscriber no doubt confused the subject with Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777-1836), grandfather of the the 2nd Baronet. The term "vestrey" (vestry in English) refers to a business meeting of English parishioners of a church, and also refers to the building or room where vestments changed into. We cannot discern from the scene precisely where this garden meeting was held. Nathaniel Mayer Rothschild was the eldest son of Austrian Baron Lionel de Rothschild (1808–1879) and Baroness Charlotte von Rothschild (née von Rothschild). His paternal grandparents were Freiherr (or Baron) Nathan Mayer Rothschild, after whom he was named, and Hannah (née Barent-Cohen) Rothschild, the daughter of Levy Barent Cohen. His maternal grandparents were Freiherr Carl Mayer von Rothschild (1788–1855) and Adelheid Herz (1800–1853). Through both of his grandfathers, who were brothers, he was the great-grandson of Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744–1812), founder of the dynasty. From 1865 to 1885, Nathan Rothschild sat in the House of Commons as Liberal Member of Parliament for Aylesbury. His father Lionel had previously been elected for the City of London from 1847, but had been unable to take the obligatory oath until 1858. They were MPs together from 1865 to 1868 and from 1869 to 1874. In 1847, his uncle Anthony Nathan de Rothschild (1810–1876) was created 1st Baronet de Rothschild, of Tring Park. Since Sir Anthony had no male heirs, the baronetcy passed on his death by special remainder to his nephew Nathan. In 1885, Rothschild became a member of the House of Lords when he was created Baron Rothschild, of Tring in the County of Hertford, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. He also was Baron de Rothschild (Freiherr von Rothschild) in the Austrian Empire, a noble title he had inherited via his father. In 1838, Queen Victoria had authorized the use of this Austrian title in the United Kingdom.

Dimensions:

Height: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)Width: 40.5 in (102.87 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Canvas,Hand-Painted

Place of Origin:

Germany

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

circa 1890

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.