Johann Matthias Ranftl (1804-1854) was an Austrian painter renowned for his contributions to fine art painting, particularly during the Biedermeier period. Born in Vienna, he was deeply influenced by his family’s artistic heritage. His grandfather migrated from Regensburg, where the distinguished artist Franz Anton Maulbertsch played a significant role in his life. His parents, Johann Baptist Ranftl and Barbara Kautz Ranftl, ran an inn in Favoriten, where young Ranftl grew up.
Paul Falconer Poole RA (1806-1879) was a well-known British painter from Bristol, famous for his subject and genre paintings.
Life and Work
Poole taught himself how to paint and became famous for his amazing use of color, poetic style, and dramatic flair. He first displayed his work at the Royal Academy when he was twenty-five, with a piece called “The Well,” which showed a scene in Naples. After a seven-year break, he exhibited again with “Farewell, Farewell” in 1837, and then with other works like “The Emigrant’s Departure,” “Hermann and Dorothea,” and “By the Waters of Babylon.”
Romà Ribera i Cirera (Barcelona, 1848-1935) was a distinguished Catalan genre painter renowned for his detailed depictions of contemporary upper-class social events. His oeuvre also includes numerous scenes set in the 17th and 18th centuries, showcasing his versatility and historical interest.
Carl Schlesinger (1825-1893) was a distinguished Swiss-German painter known for his mastery in genre and landscape painting. His artistic journey began in Hamburg under the tutelage of Gerdt Hardorff and Hermann Kauffmann, where he honed his skills during his early apprenticeship years. Seeking further artistic development, Schlesinger enrolled at the Prague Academy in 1844 under the guidance of Christian Ruben.
Willy Brandes (1876-1946) stands as a notable figure in the realm of German painting, his legacy intertwined with the vibrant tapestry of art history. Born in Bornstädt near Potsdam, Brandes’ journey into the world of art commenced at a tender age, where he embarked on an apprenticeship as a decorative painter. His passion for the craft led him to pursue formal education under the tutelage of esteemed masters.
