He studied at the Vienna Academy. He lived in Pozsony, then worked as a teacher of art in the house of Count Gyulay. After his return to Vienna, he copied pictures of old masters, and painted portraits and genre pictures. He became the most significant representative of biedermeier: he was second to none in depicting nature in delicate colours. In addition to portraits, his genre-pictures are significant: "Midsummer Day" 1844, "Grandpa's Birthday", 1845, "Distraint", 1847, "Recruit Saying Farewell", 1858, "Godmother Saying Good-Bye", "Neigbours", 1859, "Congratulators", 1861, "Going to Church in Spring", "Bride Saying Good-Bye", 1863, "Christmas in a Peasant Room", 1849, "Returning Home from Church Festivals" and "Panorama". He became a teacher of the Vienna Academy. After he had published his works on art education, he was forced to retire. He was rehabilitated in 1863.