This charming mid-19th-century oil painting by Austrian artist Johann Paul Eisenmeyer (act.1820-1846) depicts a gentleman wearing a black coat, white shirt and black bowtie.Eisenmeyer was an accomplished painter of portraits, religious works, and figures. Working during the Biedermeier period, his ability to capture a likeness was in high demand.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.Life was relatively chipper for these newly emerging affluent homeowners and 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....