Marcell Nemes

Nemes' ancestors traded in wool and tobacco in Transylvania since the 1830s, expanding into the timber and coal trade and financial transactions by the end of the 19th century.

[1][2] Marcell Nemes Magyarized his name, and was appointed a Royal Hungarian Councillor in 1903 due to his economic success and was ennobled as a Nobleman of Janoshalma in 1908.

[4] Nemes became one of the rediscoverers of El Greco by finding some of his paintings himself in Spain and adding them to his collection.

[5] His purchases were based on Julius Meier-Graefe's preliminary art-historical work and the assistance of Paris and Munich art dealers.

For example, he purchased Greco's Immaculate Conception and a Carrying of the Cross in the 1911 exhibition of old Spanish art organized by August Liebmann Mayer at the Heinemann Gallery in Munich.