Nathaniel Mayer von Rothschild | |
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 Baron Nathaniel Rothschild (Theodor Mayerhofer, 1884) | |
| Born | (1836-10-26)26 October 1836 |
| Died | 16 June 1905(1905-06-16) (aged 68) Vienna,Austria-Hungary |
| Occupation | Art collector |
Nathaniel Mayer von Rothschild (26 October 1836 – 16 June 1905) was a member of theRothschild banking family of Austria, known as art collector andpatron.
Born inVienna, he was the fifth child and first son ofAnselm von Rothschild (1803–1874) and his wife Charlotte von Rothschild (1807–1859). His grandfatherSalomon Mayer von Rothschild (1774–1855), a native fromFrankfurt, had founded the VienneseS M von Rothschild banking house in 1820, continued as theCreditanstalt by his father.
Nathaniel as the eldest male was expected to take over the running of the family's Austrian banking business. He studied atBrünn but fell out of favour with his father who considered him extravagant and financially irresponsible. Rather than going into business, Nathaniel spent his life as asocialite who built mansions and collected works of art.
From 1872 to 1884, he had thePalais Nathaniel Rothschild erected at 14-16 Theresianumgasse in Vienna-Wieden in a lavishRingstraße style inspired byFrench Renaissance architecture. He himself lived alone in a small apartment, while in various parts of the building his large collection of art was on display. The palais was badly damaged by thebombing of Vienna in World War II and afterwards demolished.
In 1880, he purchasedEnzesfeld Castle with its vast property from the Counts ofSchönburg-Hartenstein. He also had Hinterleiten Palace inReichenau an der Rax erected in aLouis XIII style from 1884. The picturesque Reichenau area had become easily accessible from Vienna by the opening of theSouthern Railway line and evolved into a popular retreat of the Viennese society, among them HabsburgArchduke Karl Ludwig of Austria who hadVilla Wartholz built nearby. Nevertheless, Nathaniel Rothschild only spent two years at his palace before he placed it at the disposal of theMinistry of War to use it as a convalescent home for veterans.
On his father's death in 1874, Nathaniel and his brotherFerdinand (1839–1898), owner ofWaddesdon Manor, inherited most of the family's property and art collection. The family business went to the youngest brotherAlbert (1844–1911), who successfully carried on the financial empire.
Nathaniel Anselm von Rothschild died a bachelor in 1905. He is buried in theZentralfriedhof, Vienna.
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