Waldmüller, Ferdinand Georg (1793 - 1865)

Waldmüller was born son to an innkeeper on 15 January 1793 in Vienna. Besides studying at the Vienna University, Waldmüller improves his skills by self-teaching and widens his horizons by traveling. From 1811 he worked as a painting teacher in Zagreb (Agram) for three years. On his return to Vienna he dedicates himself exclusively to portrait painting. In 1814 he married the singer Katharina Weidner, whom he had met in Agram. The marriage was a rather unhappy one with Waldmüller tyrannizing his wife with his constant tantrums and violent outbursts. Their marriage was finally divorced in 1822.

From 1830 Waldmüller, who was quick-tempered and self-absorbed, worked as professor at the Vienna Academy but due to continuing conflicts he is pensioned off in 1857. In the 1830ies he creates some of his best portraits.

After his portrait phase, Waldmüller, who had also picked up writing, dedicated himself to landscape and genre paintings. He mainly focuses on rural life in the surroundings of Vienna. Many of his paintings show socio-critical elements including “Der Notverkauf” (The Distress Sale; 1857), "Fronleichnamsmorgen" (Corpus Christi Morning; 1857) and "Die Klostersuppe" (The Monastery Soup; 1858). Waldmüller’s landscape paintings were famous for their striking contrast of light and shadow, and the richly glowing landscapes which evoked nostalgic emotions. Waldmüller died in Vienna on 23 August 1865. Today his paintings are on display at the Wiener Belvedere and the Vienna Museum at Karlsplatz.