Alfred Seifert

19th Century portrait oil painting of a young woman with pearls & a rose

C1880

Alfred Seifert was born in Praskolesy, Bohemia (present-day Czech Republic), on 6th September 1850. His talent as an artist emerged after he started drawing while recuperating from a serious illness. Seifert was taught by Karel Würbs, the inspector of Estates Gallery at Prague Castle and Alois Kirnig (1840–1911). In 1869, he was admitted into the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, studying under Michael Echter (1812 – 79), Alexander von Wagner (1838–1919) and Johann Leonhard Raab (1825 –99). During this time, he started producing portraits of women and developed his signature style focussing on heads of girls, which became known as Seifert type. Many of his works are a study of the sitter’s profile and are beautifully composed using harmonious colors and tones. His portraits of women often include flowers such as the pink rose, which represents youth and beauty. In 1876, Seifert opened his workshop in Munich and started exhibiting in Germany and Prague. He became a popular artist in Germany, achieving success and spent most of his life there. Seifert died in Munich on 6th February 1901. Examples of his work can be found at the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne and the Rudolfinum, Prague.