HEINRICH FRIEDRICH FÜGER (AUSTRIAN, 1751-1818)

Joseph Barth, opthalmologist, was appointed by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria to occupy the first Chair of Ophthalmology in Europe. He opened a public eye clinic in the General Hospital Vienna in 1784 where he operated on cases of cataracts. He taught and trained other physicians in his field and published works relating to the treatment of eye disease. He was appointed oculist to Emperor Joseph II in 1776, a position he held until his death.
Another portrait of the sitter by Füger, signed and dated 1786, is in R. Keil, op. cit., p. 242, no. 145. According to Leisching (loc. cit.), both versions are 'of equal merit and wonderful and belong to the premier league of his works'.