Brothers Nathaniel and Albert von Rothschild, members of the illustrious pan-European banking family, were not only financial magnates but also passionate amateurs and philanthropists of photography. Their dedication to the art form was evident in the studios they had built in their respective palatial mansions and their commitment to promoting art photography. Nathaniel, in particular, played a significant role in advancing the field by financing the laboratory and meeting rooms of the Club der Amateur-Photographen in Vienna and gaining membership in the prestigious Linked Ring in 1893. His passion for both travel and photography led to the creation of limited-edition albums showcasing views from his extensive journeys.

Among Nathaniel’s notable works is this two-volume account of a Mediterranean cruise titled Skizzen aus dem Suden, which features exotic views from North Africa to Asia Minor privately printed in lavish, no expense spared, elephant folios for 160 close friends.