Charles Ephrussi

Charles Ephrussi was the youngest son of Charles Joachim Ephrussi and Belle Levensohn. He was born in Odessa in 1849. Unlike the rest of the male members of his prominent Jewish family, Charles was a lover of art and had very little interest in the business world. While his brothers became prominent bankers and export magnates, Charles was happy to live in Paris in his opulent private suite in the resplendent family mansion in the elite West End of Paris.

He became a lover of art and a collector of objects d'arte of all description. He collected the paintings of the grand masters and in fact was a supporter and friend of many of France's budding artists of the day including Renoir, Degas, Manet, Monet and Pissaro to name a few. He also collected fine furnishings, rich brocades and precious silks and tapestries.

Charles became fascinated with Japanese...