Art prints of paintings
Friedrich von Amerling
Immerse yourself in the refined world of Austrian romantic portraiture with art prints of Friedrich von Amerling's paintings. Give your walls the light and elegance of the 19th century with faithfully reproduced works as posters or canvases, perfect for a classic and warm decor.
Friedrich von Amerling, portraitist of Viennese Biedermeier
Friedrich von Amerling (1803-1887) was an Austrian painter primarily associated with nineteenth-century portraiture and the Biedermeier period. Born and died in Vienna, he depicted members of the imperial family, the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie, as well as artists, friends, relatives and anonymous sitters.
The Belvedere’s online catalogue raisonné lists more than one thousand paintings. It distinguishes, among others, portraits of women, men, children and families, self-portraits, portraits of artists, genre scenes, historical subjects and landscapes. This collection offers an opportunity to explore several of these groups.
Viennese portraiture in the 1830s
The Belvedere identifies the 1830s as Amerling’s great period, the decade in which he developed a highly sought-after portrait formula in Vienna. Faces are rendered with precision, while fabrics, jewellery, uniforms and accessories reveal the sitter’s social position and personality.
Compare Portrait of a Lady, Unknown Man, Countess Julie von Woyna and Portrait of an Elderly Man: framing, background and clothing alter the presence of each figure.
Imperial portraits and official figures
Amerling received commissions from the high aristocracy and the imperial household. Uniforms, decorations and formal poses play an important role, without overshadowing his treatment of the gaze and flesh tones.
The Young Emperor Franz Joseph I in Hussar Uniform, Emperor Franz I of Austria, Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria and Archduke Leopold as a Crusader illustrate different forms of official portraiture.
Families, children and intimate scenes
Group portraits establish the relationships between the figures through gestures, gazes and the arrangement of their bodies. In portraits of children and close relations, scale and light often create a more restrained atmosphere.
The large portrait Rudolf von Arthaber and His Children, dated 1837 in the Belvedere collections, is structured around the portrait of the deceased mother. Also discover Count Majláth with His Family, Henriette Pereira-Arnstein with Her Daughter Flora and Ludmilla Amerling as a Child.
Self-portraits and family circle
The Belvedere catalogue brings together thirty-two self-portraits, created at different stages of his career. They reveal the changes in pose, lighting and role that the artist chose when representing himself.
Self-Portrait with a Blue Tie, Self-Portrait and Self-Portrait, Another Version can be associated with portraits of his family, such as Theresia Amerling, the artist’s mother or Franz Xaver Amerling, the artist’s father.
Artists, Musicians and Writers
Amerling painted many of the creative figures of his time. These portraits form a gallery of the European cultural world: painters, sculptors, musicians, writers and actors are identified by their faces, but sometimes also by a gesture, an accessory or a role.
Among the available works are Portrait of Franz Liszt, Bertel Thorvaldsen, Sculptor, Franz Grillparzer, The Painter Thomas Ender and Boguwil Dawison as Richard III.
Genre Figures and Italian Models
Alongside named portraits, Amerling painted genre figures. The model may become a fisherwoman, a young Venetian, an Italian mother or a study figure. Costume and posture then serve a composition less directly connected to an official commission.
Sleeping Fisherwoman, Profile Head of a Young Bearded Venetian, Italian Mother with Child and Italian Chiaruccia with a Distaff illustrate this part of the catalogue.
Landscapes, Mythology and Religious Subjects
Portraiture dominates Amerling’s oeuvre, but the catalogue raisonné also includes landscapes, historical scenes, religious subjects and compositions inspired by antiquity. These works shift the focus from the face to space, narrative or allegory.
Explore Mountain Landscape, Ideal Greek Landscape, Hebe and Apostle Paul.
Choosing a Reproduction of Friedrich von Amerling
For a striking portrait, choose an isolated figure in a close composition. An imperial portrait offers a more ceremonial arrangement. Portraits of children and families suit a more narrative setting, while landscapes and mythological subjects often lend themselves to more open formats.
Available formats and dimensions depend on the composition of each work. Select the format and then the dimensions on the product page to view the options actually available and the corresponding price.
Frequently Asked Questions about Friedrich von Amerling
Which art movement does he belong to?
Amerling is commonly associated with Austrian Biedermeier. The Belvedere uses this designation for several of his works and places his activity at the heart of 19th-century Viennese painting.
Why is he best known as a portrait painter?
Most of his painted catalogue consists of portraits. His repertoire includes men, women, children, families, artists, aristocrats and members of the imperial household.
How many works are recorded?
The online catalogue raisonné published by the Belvedere in 2025 lists 1 012 paintings. This total also includes works whose locations are unknown and several versions of the same subject.
Why does it exist several self-portraits?
Amerling depicted himself throughout his career, with different compositions, costumes and lighting. The versions therefore form a chronological sequence rather than an accidental duplication.
How can you create a cohesive grouping?
Pair portraits with a similar orientation, palette or period. Two self-portraits, several members of the same family or a selection of portraits of artists create particularly clear groupings.