From court Jews to the Rothschilds

From Court Jews to the Rothschilds 1600-1800 is a groundbreaking study that examines the role of Jews as agents in the service of many kinds of patrons, from local nobles to emperors. In addition to collecting and commissioning precious jewelry and works of art for the court, they provided all manner of goods, including military equipment and supplies. Many Jews also made important contributions to architecture by financing and implementing large building projects.

Some maintained the ruler's mint, collected taxes, and assisted in diplomatic negotiations. Court Jews often became extremely wealthy and powerful members of society, some of them adopting the lifestyles, dress, and even architecture of their patrons, while remaining true to their religious origins. In many cases they were generous benefactors of their own communities, establishing schools and synagogues, printing books, commissioning ceremonial objects, and acting as patrons of the arts.

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This book is illustrated with stunning photographs of objects commissioned by and associated with Court Jews from collections all over Europe, America and Israel. It charts the development of the Court Jew phenomenon from early Islamic times through to the early 1800s, with particular emphasis on the 17th and 18th centuries.

It includes short biographies of outstanding figures - among them several women, such as Gluckl of Hameln and Esther Liebmann - with an account of their achievements and of their relationship to Jewish communities and to general society. This is the first book to discuss the cultural transformation of Court Jews in the context of Baroque art and architecture, and the first to illustrate such a diverse representative selection of works.