Alfred Seifert
Encyclopedia
Alfred Seifert was a Czech-German painter
, famous for his female portraits.
He was born in Praskolesy (present-day Czech Republic
) but within a few months, his family moved to nearby Hořovice
. As a child, he fell seriously ill, could not walk for four years and spent two years in an orthopedic institution. Instead of playing, he started to draw pictures and his artistic talent soon started to emerge. His first teachers were Karel Würbs, inspector of Estates Gallery at Prague Castle
, and Alois Kirnig, landscape
painter. After two years of studies at a high school in Malá Strana
(Lesser Town of Prague), he got an admission to Academy of Fine Arts in Munich
in 1869. In 1876, he opened his own workshop there.
Seifert focused on portraits of women, especially on sentimentally mooded heads of girls which became known as "Seifert type". Critics appreciated a well-thought composition of paintings, attention to detail, as well as harmonic colors and a pleasant atmosphere.
Seifert spent most of his life in Germany. In native Bohemia, he was personally almost unknown, though he had exhibitions in Prague and black-and-white reproductions of his works regularly appeared in Světozor
magazine. Some Czechs criticized his lack of patriotism by pointing out on his preference for foreign topics over domestic ones. His approach, however, was explained by financial reality: to make his living, he had to create such paintings that his Munich audience was willing to buy. In Bohemia, his works did not sell well, even if he accommodated. For example, a history painting
Jan Augusta welcomes Filipina Welser waited long for a buyer. To a church in Hořovice, he donated his painting Ave Maria, depicting a young girl praying to Virgin Mary.
His other famous work include: Ophelia, Titania, Walk out of the gate, Spring of love, Tales of spooks.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, famous for his female portraits.
He was born in Praskolesy (present-day Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
) but within a few months, his family moved to nearby Hořovice
Horovice
Hořovice is a small town in Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It is the administrative and economical center of surrounding area. Its most known building is Hořovice Castle.- History :...
. As a child, he fell seriously ill, could not walk for four years and spent two years in an orthopedic institution. Instead of playing, he started to draw pictures and his artistic talent soon started to emerge. His first teachers were Karel Würbs, inspector of Estates Gallery at Prague Castle
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is a castle in Prague where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. The Czech Crown Jewels are kept here...
, and Alois Kirnig, landscape
Landscape art
Landscape art is a term that covers the depiction of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests, and especially art where the main subject is a wide view, with its elements arranged into a coherent composition. In other works landscape backgrounds for figures can still...
painter. After two years of studies at a high school in Malá Strana
Malá Strana
Malá Strana is a district of the city of Prague, Czech Republic, and one of its most historic regions.The name translated into English literally means "Little Side", though it is frequently referred to as "Lesser Town", "Lesser Quarter", or "Lesser Side"...
(Lesser Town of Prague), he got an admission to Academy of Fine Arts in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
in 1869. In 1876, he opened his own workshop there.
Seifert focused on portraits of women, especially on sentimentally mooded heads of girls which became known as "Seifert type". Critics appreciated a well-thought composition of paintings, attention to detail, as well as harmonic colors and a pleasant atmosphere.
Seifert spent most of his life in Germany. In native Bohemia, he was personally almost unknown, though he had exhibitions in Prague and black-and-white reproductions of his works regularly appeared in Světozor
Svetozor
Světozor was a Czech language illustrated magazine published in 19th and 20th century.Světozor was created by Pavel Josef Šafařík in 1834. Šafařík was inspired by the British penny press and the German Pfennig-Magazin...
magazine. Some Czechs criticized his lack of patriotism by pointing out on his preference for foreign topics over domestic ones. His approach, however, was explained by financial reality: to make his living, he had to create such paintings that his Munich audience was willing to buy. In Bohemia, his works did not sell well, even if he accommodated. For example, a history painting
History painting
History painting is a genre in painting defined by subject matter rather than an artistic style, depicting a moment in a narrative story, rather than a static subject such as a portrait...
Jan Augusta welcomes Filipina Welser waited long for a buyer. To a church in Hořovice, he donated his painting Ave Maria, depicting a young girl praying to Virgin Mary.
His other famous work include: Ophelia, Titania, Walk out of the gate, Spring of love, Tales of spooks.