Robert Theer

Robert Theer (5 November 1808, Johannesberg – 15 July 1863, Vienna) was a painter and lithographer from the Austrian Empire.

[2] He displayed a talent for drawing at an early age, and was sent to the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna.

[3] His earnings were spent on acquiring a private art collection and acting as a patron to his underemployed artist friends.

For example, he commissioned the engraver, Joseph Steinmüller (1795-1841) to create an intricate copy of the "Madonna del Prato" by Raphael.

[3] He attempted to counter this trend by changing his style and introducing non-realistic elements, but this failed to slow his gradual impoverishment.