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FRIEDRICH VON AMERLING (1803 Vienna–1887 Vienna)
SELF-PORTRAIT
1846, oil on canvas, 62 x 49,5 cm, signed
ÖSTERREICHISCHE GALERIE BELVEDERE, VIENNA
Inv. No. 11028
© Belvedere, Vienna
Friedrich von Amerling
Born on April 14, 1803 in the Viennese suburb Mariahilf–January 14, 1887 Vienna, together with Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller he was one of the most renowned Austrian portraitists of the 19th century.
Born into the family of a gold and silver wire drawer, Amerling studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna from 1815 until 1824. Afterwards he decided to continue his education at the Academy in Prague, before, in 1827, he moved to London for just over a year and a half. There he met the portraitist Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769–1830), who was to greatly influence his work. Other journeys led to Paris and Rome, from where he was finally called to Vienna in order to portray Francis I, Emperor of Austria. This commission made him one of the leading portraitists, whose particular style combined the elegance of British portrait painting with the Realism of the Viennese Biedermeier tradition. The gift for sensitive observation, precious to exotic arrangements, and a solid palette of colours were characteristic of his works. Amerling, who married four times, went on extensive educational trips throughout his life: 1840–1843 and 1845/46 to Rome, 1882 to Spain, 1883 i. a. to England, 1884 to Greece, 1885 to Egypt and Palestine, as well as to Scandinavia and the North Cape. His distinguished clientele included not only members of the Royal family, but also wealthy members of the upper class, and celebrities like artists secured his excellent international reputation already during his lifetime.
SELF-PORTRAIT
1846, oil on canvas, 62 x 49,5 cm, signed
ÖSTERREICHISCHE GALERIE BELVEDERE, VIENNA
Inv. No. 11028
© Belvedere, Vienna
Friedrich von Amerling
Born on April 14, 1803 in the Viennese suburb Mariahilf–January 14, 1887 Vienna, together with Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller he was one of the most renowned Austrian portraitists of the 19th century.
Born into the family of a gold and silver wire drawer, Amerling studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna from 1815 until 1824. Afterwards he decided to continue his education at the Academy in Prague, before, in 1827, he moved to London for just over a year and a half. There he met the portraitist Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769–1830), who was to greatly influence his work. Other journeys led to Paris and Rome, from where he was finally called to Vienna in order to portray Francis I, Emperor of Austria. This commission made him one of the leading portraitists, whose particular style combined the elegance of British portrait painting with the Realism of the Viennese Biedermeier tradition. The gift for sensitive observation, precious to exotic arrangements, and a solid palette of colours were characteristic of his works. Amerling, who married four times, went on extensive educational trips throughout his life: 1840–1843 and 1845/46 to Rome, 1882 to Spain, 1883 i. a. to England, 1884 to Greece, 1885 to Egypt and Palestine, as well as to Scandinavia and the North Cape. His distinguished clientele included not only members of the Royal family, but also wealthy members of the upper class, and celebrities like artists secured his excellent international reputation already during his lifetime.