Jacob Heinrich Moresco, also known simply as Jacob Heinrich, was one of the first large-scale manufacturers of women's clothing in Denmark. His company, which at the end of the 19th century was the largest of its kind in the Nordic countries, was after his death in 1906 continued by his nephew Carl Moresco. His former hone, Villa Adelaide, was located in what is now Ordrup Park. Morescovej is named after him.
Early life and education
Jacob Heinrich Moresco was born in Copenhagen, the son of on of Maximillian Moresco and Adelaide Italiaender. His father had come to Denmark from The Hague in about 1820 and married Adelaide approximately one year before Moresco was born. Moresco attended Mariboe's School. His father was a reputable dentist with title of court dentist and wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. Moresco was, however, more interested in a commercial career, and was instead apprenticed to textile merchant Unna at the corner of Købmagergade and Østergade. He later worked for Carl Løvgren, who ran the leading clothing store of the time. In 18055, Moresco travelled to Paris where he learned tailoring before returning to Copenhagen the following year.
Moresco purchased a property In Ordrup north of Copenhagen in 1871 and named it Adelaide after his mother. He was the second-largest tax-payer in the municipality, only surpassed by Jacob Hegel at Skovgården. : Leaving the Table He is one of the businessmen depicted on Peder Severin Krøyer's monumental 1895 group portrait paintingFrom Copenhagen Stock Exchange in Børsen. Another group portrait painting, Laurits Tuxen'sLeaving the Table depicts a scene from a dinner party in his home. The painting was a gift to him in connection with the 50 years' anniversary of his company on 16 April 1906. It was painted on the basis of a black-and-white photograph taken at a dinner party some time before the anniversary. He died unmarried and without children on 29 October 1906 and is buried in the Western Jewish Cemetery in Copenhagen. He left his estate to his nephew Carl Moresco. In 1943, three years after Carl Moresco's death, Villa Adelaide was acquired by Gentofte Municipality and converted into a daycare. It was demolished in 1969 and Ordrup Park is now located at the site. Morescovej in Gentofte is named after him.
