Joseph Bergler

Joseph Bergler the Younger (1 May 1753 – 25 June 1829) was a painter, author of numerous etchings, and director of the Prague Academy.

Life
Bergler was born in Salzburg, the son of sculptor Joseph Bergler the Elder (1718–1788) who instructed his son. He moved to Italy in 1776 and studied under Martin Knoller in Milan and Anton von Maron in Rome. He lived at the Piazza di Spagna, sharing a place with Felice Giani, Franz Caucig, and others.

He also became acquainted with Maron's brother-in-law, Anton Raphael Mengs, as well as Gavin Hamilton and Giovanni Volpato. In 1786, he returned to live with his parents in Passau. In 1800 he moved to Prague, where he helped to found the Akademie der bildenden Künste at the Clementinum, and became its first director. Bergler taught Antonín Machek lithography and other graphic techniques. Friedrich von Amerling was also a student. The sculptor Wenzel Prahner became a close friend.

During his sojourn in Rome he made a particular study of the works of Raphael. He was patronized by Count Thun and became chamber painter to Cardinal Auersperg, prince bishop of Passau. Bergler created altar-pieces for a number of churches in Prague and the vicinity. In 1774 he created works for the side altars in the "Mariahilf" pilgrim church in Passau.

He died in Prague, aged 76.