J Eberhart was a portrait artist active in Germany between 1830 and 1857. He's known to have worked in Bavaria.
Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna, central European politics shifted towards calmer motivations. The mood was decidedly less divisive, focused on stability and wealth creation. This, coupled with increasing industrialisation, led to the rise of ‘new money’ - the middle classes were in full swing.
Referred to as the Biedermeier period, between 1815 and 1848, life was relatively chipper for these newly emerging affluent homeowners. Interior decoration became high on the agenda, along with presenting an image of moderation, modesty and contentment. Portraits were integral to the home, particularly as the aristocratic ‘old money’ had walls adorned with them.
Artists flourished, producing detailed scenes to celebrate family values and meticulous portraiture. Each sitter was rendered akin to a miniature, agonised over. Expression was frowned upon, these new patrons sought to convey permanence rather than fleeting emotions. Indeed, it’s fair to say that the sitters themselves became objectified, somewhat akin to precious artefacts placed upon a walnut sideboard.
For local artists, such as Eberhart, this presented opportunities and evidently he undertook numerous commissions, including for a husband and wife from the hamlet of Weigenheim, Middle Franconia, Bavaria, in 1830.
J Eberhart (1830)
J Eberhart (1830)
While, in 1857, he produced a charming portrait of two sisters, Hannche & Maria Weichsel.
J Eberhart, Portrait Of Hannche & Maria Weichsel (1857)
Sitting before a picturesque mountain range, the girls are attired in the latest fashion. Hannche, on the left, wears a decorous bell-shaped blue dress with lace embellishments and holds a single rose. While Maria wears dark green and clutches a handkerchief embroidered with her name. It’s likely that she’s conveying her skill for handicrafts.
J Eberhart is an example of the numerous artists working diligently during the flourishing Biedermeier period, many of which are now lost to time.