Portrait of Samuel Amsler and Family

Amsler is depicted at the centre of a modest interior, surrounded by his wife and children. The presence of his engraving tools and a printed copy of Raphael’s Holy Family with Saints Elizabeth and John on the wall underscores his professional identity and artistic lineage, linking his own craft to the broader tradition of religious art.

Rendered as a drawing, the piece employs fine line work to delineate the figures and furnishings, while subtle shading conveys the soft lighting of a middle‑class home. The composition reflects the Biedermeier aesthetic, favoring simplicity, comfort and a focus on the private sphere.

Created over a span of years from 1836 to 1849, the drawing remained in the possession of Amsler’s family before entering public collections. It is now held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it contributes to the museum’s holdings of 19th‑century European portraiture.

The work exemplifies the Biedermeier period’s emphasis on domesticity and the emerging middle class in post‑Napoleonic Europe. By situating an artist within his household, the drawing reflects contemporary interests in personal identity, professional pride, and the comfortable interiors that defined the era’s visual culture.