Johann Michael Kupfer was highly regarded in his lifetime - particularly for his portrayals of Viennese folk life. His work was shown internationally and Emperor Franz Joseph and Archduke Rainer are said to have attended his exhibitions.

He studied at several schools including the Academy of Fine Art in Nuremberg, the Royal Academy in Munich, the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna and the Karlsruhe Art Academy.

In 2000, a large genre scene by Kupfer depicting a group of people enjoying a beer garden reached £23,100 at Christie's.