The visit of William I, Elector of Hesse to Amschel Mayer de Rothschild (1744-1812) c.1825-50
Watercolour on ivory laid on card | 14.2 x 18.8 cm (sight) | RCIN 421460
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Oppenheim's pair of miniatures (421460 and 421110) are based on two narrative genre scenes in oil on canvas by the artist, who was the leading German Jewish artist of the nineteenth century (Ascott House, Buckinghamshire). The scenes represent a key episode in the establishment of the fortunes of the Rothschild family. Their depiction by Oppenheim, and their replication and dissemination amongst wealthy and influential contacts of the Rothschilds, were intended to emphasise the family's integrity in business dealings and legitimise the source of their wealth.
The Frankfurt banking family's fortunes were underpinned in the early days by their dealings with the Elector William I of Hesse. The Elector's lands were annexed by Napoleon in 1806, but much of his wealth was smuggled out of the electorate and his assets were successfully managed and invested by the Rothschilds to their mutual advantage and eventually safely restored to him. This miniature depicts the delivery of the Elector's treasures to the patriarch of the family, Amschel Mayer de Rothschild, for safekeeping, in the presence of Amschel's wife, Guthe, and daughter, Henrietta. Oppenheim economically establishes the elements of hierarchy and service that are the focus of his narrative through the Elector's emphatic gesture of command linked to Mayer Amschel's of subservience, and lends the imaginary event historical authenticity through detail realistically rendered.
Inscribed in ink on the reverse: DP / -
Rectangular gilt-bronze frame, the reverse engraved with the inscription: The Elector of Hesse and Mayer Amschel [sic] de Rothschild, / Born 23rd Feb y 1744, Married 29th Aug. 1770 / Died 19th Sepr. 1812, / and his wife Guthe née Schnapper, / Born 23rd August 1753 Died 7 th May 1849, / also their daughter Henrietta Born 1791, / Died 19th Feb y. 1866 / Married to Abraham Montefiore.Provenance
Given by Leopold Rothschild to Queen Mary in 1910
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Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Watercolour on ivory laid on card
Measurements
14.2 x 18.8 cm (sight)
17.0 x 21.1 cm (frame (miniature), with ring closed/down)
17.6 cm (frame (miniature), with ring open/up)
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