Jakob Goldschmidt Life and Legacy as an Art Collector

Author

Reads 4.1K

Portrait of a man in vibrant Rajasthani attire with a traditional turban.
Credit: pexels.com, Portrait of a man in vibrant Rajasthani attire with a traditional turban.

Jakob Goldschmidt was a renowned art collector who left a lasting impact on the art world. He was born in 1896.

Goldschmidt's passion for art began at a young age, and he went on to build an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art. His collection included works by notable artists such as Max Ernst and Pablo Picasso.

Goldschmidt's legacy as an art collector is still celebrated today, and his collection continues to inspire new generations of art enthusiasts.

About Jakob Goldschmidt

Jakob Goldschmidt was born on August 24, 1850, in Romsthal, Bad Soden-Salmünster, Main-Kinzig-Kreis, HE, Germany.

He grew up in a family that couldn't afford to send him to university, so he became an apprentice at the Hanover banking house of H. Oppenheimer.

By working hard and using his exceptional talents, Goldschmidt was able to make a fortune in the banking business and eventually form his own brokerage firm, Schwartz, Goldschmidt & Company.

Old man reading book in park
Credit: pexels.com, Old man reading book in park

Goldschmidt's parents were Marcus and Lina Bachrach Goldschmidt, and he was married to Ida Edel Goldschmidt.

As a banker, Goldschmidt was a major player in Weimar economic affairs, and he sat on the boards of many companies, including shipping, steel, power, mining, insurance, and aviation.

He was also a devoted philanthropist, particularly when it came to Jewish causes, and he helped rescue the Encyclopedia Judaica from financial collapse in 1926.

Goldschmidt's career was marked by both success and scandal, including the collapse of the Danatbank in 1931 due to the fraudulent actions of the Lahusen brothers.

He left Germany in 1933 and settled in the United States in 1936, where he continued to work in business and collect art.

Here's a brief overview of Goldschmidt's family:

Goldschmidt passed away on July 2, 1925, in Frankfurt am Main, HE, Germany, at the age of 74, and was buried in Gelnhausen, Main-Kinzig-Kreis, HE, Germany.

Jakob Goldschmidt's Life

Black and white portrait of an elderly man with glasses, hat, and scarf.
Credit: pexels.com, Black and white portrait of an elderly man with glasses, hat, and scarf.

Jakob Goldschmidt was born on August 24, 1850, in Romsthal, Bad Soden-Salmünster, Main-Kinzig-Kreis, HE, Germany. He was the first of many children born to the Goldschmidt family.

Jakob Goldschmidt's birth was followed by the births of his siblings, including Abraham, Betty, Karolina Lina, and Rosa, all born in Gelnhausen, Hessen, Germany. His family's place of residence suggests a strong connection to the region.

Jakob Goldschmidt's life was marked by significant events, including his death on July 2, 1925, at the age of 74, in Frankfurt am Main, HE, Germany.

Art Collector

Jakob Goldschmidt was an avid art collector, and his extensive collection has been the subject of restitution claims.

A Dutch court ruled in 1963 that an Honore Daumier bronze sculpture should be returned from a museum in Cologne.

Goldschmidt's heirs sought the return of a painting, Portrait of a Young Girl in a Bow Window, attributed to Nikolaus Alexander Mair von Landshut, from the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford in 2002.

The Nazis auctioned off Goldschmidt's art collection in the 1940s.

Timeline

Older man reading a magazine at a bustling outdoor book market.
Credit: pexels.com, Older man reading a magazine at a bustling outdoor book market.

Jakob Goldschmidt's Timeline is a fascinating glimpse into his life. He was born on August 24, 1850, in Romsthal, Bad Soden-Salmünster, Main-Kinzig-Kreis, HE, Germany.

Jakob's family was growing, and in 1865, his brother Abraham was born in Gelnhausen, Hessen, Deutschland (Germany). This was just the beginning of a long line of Goldschmidt family members.

In 1878, Betty Goldschmidt, another sibling, was born in Gelnhausen, Hessen, Germany. She was one of four children born to Jakob's parents.

Jakob's family continued to grow, and in 1881, Karolina Lina* Flörsheim was born in Gelnhausen, Hesse, Germany. This was followed by the birth of Rosa Goldschmidt in 1889, also in Gelnhausen, Hessen, Germany.

Sadly, Jakob's life came to an end on July 2, 1925, at the age of 74, in Frankfurt am Main, HE, Germany. He was laid to rest in Jüdischer Friedhof Gelnhausen, Gelnhausen, Main-Kinzig-Kreis, HE, Germany.

Here is a summary of Jakob's life in a timeline format:

Goldschmidt

Old Man Reading Newspaper
Credit: pexels.com, Old Man Reading Newspaper

Jakob Goldschmidt was born in Eldagsen, Hanover in 1882.

He was the son of Marcus and Lina Bachrach Goldschmidt, who couldn't afford to send him to university.

Goldschmidt became an apprentice at the Hanover banking house of H. Oppenheimer, where he showcased his exceptional talents.

He worked his way up and made a fortune in the banking business, eventually forming his own brokerage firm, Schwartz, Goldschmidt & Company, in 1910.

Goldschmidt became managing director of the Nationalbank fuer Deutschland in 1918, which later merged with other banks to form the Darmstaedter und Nationalbank (Danatbank).

He sat on the boards of various companies, including those in shipping, steel, power, mining, insurance, and aviation.

Goldschmidt was a major art collector and supported Jewish causes, rescuing the Encyclopedia Judaica from financial collapse in 1926.

The Danatbank fell prey to the fraudulent actions of the Lahusen brothers in July 1931, forcing Goldschmidt to leave Germany in 1933.

He settled in the United States in 1936, where he had a successful, albeit more modest, career in business.

Goldschmidt continued to collect art and supported various philanthropies and cultural institutions, including the New York Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

Elena Feeney-Jacobs

Junior Writer

Elena Feeney-Jacobs is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in the Australian real estate market. Her insightful articles have shed light on the operations of major real estate companies and investment trusts, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the industry. She has a particular focus on companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and those based in Sydney, offering valuable insights into the local and national economies.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.