František Brunner-Dvorák, actually Franz Brunner, was born in Bohemia and received his artistic training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. He then deepened his skills under Wilhelm von Lindenschmit the Younger (1829-1895) and Rudolf and Otto Seitz in Munich. From 1886 the young painter was regularly accepted at the Great Art Exhibitions in Vienna and Berlin.

After a short stay in Paris, Dvorak was active in North America for several years, since he has been documented as a highly sought-after portraitist in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. In 1896 he moved back to Paris, where he was able to exhibit his works at the Societé Nationale and similar prestigious places, until 1900.

Dvorak, who was especi...