Hermann Kern

Hermann Kern (1838–1912), Austrian, Hermann von Kern, an Austrian academic painter, was born on March 14, 1838, in Liptovský Hrádok, then part of Hungary, now Slovakia, into a family of German descent. His father, Benjamin Kern, a Hungarian court physician, recognized his son's exceptional talent early on, leading to Hermann's artistic training under Theo Böhm in Budapest and further studies in Prague. Kern's journey in art took him to Vienna's Academy of Fine Arts under Carl Rahl and later to Düsseldorf, Munich, where he collaborated with notable artists like Defregger and Kaulbach under Piloty, before returning to Budapest to establish himself as a portrait and genre painter.
In 1876, Kern moved to Vienna with his large family, focusing on genre painting that initially favored gypsy themes before shifting to humorous Biedermeier scenes and peasant types. His works, such as 'Die Politiker von Laab' and 'Ungarische Hirten in der Kneipe', reflect his keen observation of society and his ability to capture its essence with wit and warmth. Kern spent his final years in Maria Enzersdorf, continuing his artistic endeavors until his death on January 18, 1912. His legacy includes not only his own contributions to Austrian art but also those of his daughter, Pauline von Kern, and his nephew, Peter Július Kern, both of whom followed in his footsteps as artists.