Toby Edward Rosenthal
Toby Rosenthal, Self Portrait, #WS 22/3250
Values Codes I – H – E – L
Toby Rosenthal was born in 1848 in the Prussian-Polish city of Strassburg.
He was brought to America in 1853.
(Other biographies state he was born in Connecticut.)
San Francisco
In 1858, the Rosenthal family moved to San Francisco, where Toby’s parents had a tailoring and cleaning business.
Rosenthal soon gave evidence of great artistic ability. He began art lessons, and in 1865 was sent to Munich to further studies.
Toby Rosenthal became known as the first important California Jewish artist, though his major works were produced in Europe.
Sheet music with Toby Rosenthal’s “Elaine,”
#WS 27/3991
When he sent his painting Elaine to San Francisco for display in 1875, crowds of people paid admission to stand before it, many with tears in their eyes.
The painting was stolen a few days later, and made front-page news throughout the country. It was the first major art theft in U.S. history.
The painting’s recovery was one of the great triumphs of the San Francisco Police Department.
Rosenthal painted portraits of numerous San Franciscans while they were on tours in Europe.
He was also art advisor to Jacob Stern, nephew of Levi Strauss.
Rosenthal’s painting, The Cardinal’s Portrait, owned by the Jacob Stern estate, was voted “favorite painting” by San Franciscans.
Toby Rosenthal passed away in 1917.
Toby Rosenthal, “A Dance Lesson,” San Francisco, CA, #WS3248
Young Toby Rosenthal, #WS22/3246
Sources
- Norton B. Stern and William M. Kramer, “Toby Rosenthal: Childhood of San Francisco’s Artist,” Western States Jewish History 24/2.
- Norton B. Stern and William M. Kramer, “Patrons of Artist Toby E. Rosenthal,” Western States Jewish History 18/2.
- Norton B. Stern, “Toby E. Rosenthal,” Western States Jewish History 41/2.
