Cecile De Rothschild

Short Biography

Born at the turn of the 19th century, Cécile de Rothschild (1913 – 1995) was the younger daughter of Baron Robert de Rothschild (1880-1946), grandson of the founder of the French line of the family, Baron James de Rothschild (1792-1868). She was the sister of Elie (b. 1917), a banker and renowned international figure who was married to Max Fould-Springer’s sister, Liliane. Cécile de Rothschild was admired in social circles for her intelligence and profound knowledge of art, as well as human psychology. She was a golfer of professional class, a refined gourmet, an expert gardener and a motorcar lover. Her passion for art led her to develop a very discerning eye. One day when her father returned from London, he announced to his children that he had bought something beginning with a “C”, and that whoever guessed what it was, could have it. Unexpectedly for a child then aged 13, Cécile acclaimed “Cézanne” and received “Les Baigneuses”.