Apparently destined for a military career, he showed an aptitude for drawing and, thanks to the intervention of an uncle, was able to attend the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, where he studied with Karl von Blaas.

He then went to study at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich under Hermann Anschütz[2] but, by 1862, had found a position in the studios of Karl von Piloty, which had a decisive influence on his style.

In 1865, he won an award for two drawings he entered in a contest at the Academy and received a commission to portray the canonization of Elizabeth of Hungary, which was completed in 1867.

In association with his compatriot, Alexander von Wagner, he painted wall decorations for the dining room of a Russian prince and theater curtains for the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz.

In addition to Faust, he also created illustrations for Ekkehard by Victor von Scheffel, Friedrich Schiller's Song of the Bell and many others.