After beginnings as a painter of stage designs and copyist, Waldmüller was a late starter in finding his own artistic expression. In addition to portrait and genre painting, he turned to landscapes. He disliked composed and dressed-up fantasy pieces, and demanded veracity in the portrayal of nature. The bright sunlight, adding clarity, warmth and serenity to his works, is unique.

In 1830 Waldmüller became curator of the gallery at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Quarrelsome and stubborn, the artist campaigned for the reform of academic training, and for an unadulterated view of nature as a guiding principle. His uncompromising stance earned him forced retirement and isolation among Vienna’s artists.