Figure 1.-- Horowitz painted a portrait of Baron Oscar Ruben von Rothschild (1888–1909)at the age of 10 years (1898). Oscar was the youngest child of Albert von Rothschild (1844-1911) and Bettina Caroline de Rothschild (1858–1892). Albert and Bettina had seven children. Oscar never married and died unexpectedly. He was only 21 years old. He was buried in the Zentralfriedhof, Vienna. This was the Austrian branch of the Rothschild family.

Leopold Horowitz was born in Hungarian controlled Slovakia--Rozgony, near Kaschau (1837). Hungary was part of the Austrian Empire. Jews were becoming assimilated in Europe. Leopold attended the gymnasium, an academically selective school. He was instructed in drawing and painting as a by from Roth (until 1850). He was accepted in the Vienna Academy where he was instructed by Geiger, Meyer, and Wurzinger. He studied t the Academy for 7 years (about 1850-58). He won first prize at his graduation. He began his career, working in Berlin, Dresden, Munich, and finally Paris -- where he remained for 8 years. He built a reputation as a talented portrait-and genre-artist. His sitters included Emperor Francis Joseph. His female portraits were especially notable. His genre subjects were inspired by his life, including childhood experiences. An important early work was 'The First-Born'. His portrait work were influenced by both Rembrandt and Van Dyck. Horowitz was one of the first academically trained Jewish artists to depict Jewish life. The Austrian Empire had a a relatively small Jewish population. Both Austria and Germany acquired Jews when they participated in the Polish Partitions (18th century). The great bulk of the Jewish population was, however, in the lager part of Poland seized by the Tsarist partition. Horowitz traveled to Warsaw to learn about Polish Jews -- the largest Jewish population in the world (1868). (his was just before large-scle Jewish migration began to America. Horowitz also made trips to Budapest, Vienna, and Berlin where he was mking a strong impression on the noble ladies who wanted their portraits painted. He also did genre work. One important work, 'Prayers in a Polish Synagogue on the Anniversary of the Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem", 'The Polish Tutor', and 'The Harmless War'. He also did impressive portraits. Horowitz received a gold medal at the Berlin International Exhibition (1891). He painted a portrait of Baron Oscar Ruben von Rothschild (1888–1909) at the age of 10 years (1898).

Created: 11:38 AM 5/16/2026
Last updated: 11:38 AM 5/16/2026