Cecilia de Madrazo

Cecilia de Madrazo y Garreta (20 December 1846, in Madrid – August 1932, in Venice) was a collector of textiles.

In 1867, she married Marià Fortuny, an artist who had already won considerable fame throughout Europe and, thanks to his financial success, was also a collector of art, weapons, ceramics and textiles.

[1] Her interest in textiles began in Spain, when she first joined her husband in searching through old homes and shops, in hopes of finding some rare examples.

[2] In 1875, a few months after his untimely death, she moved to Paris and, with the assistance of her brother Raimundo and the Baron de Davillier, organized a sale of part of his estate.

[5] She lived out the remainder of her life in Venice, with her daughter, María Luisa, surrounded by her ever-growing collection.