Christian Seybold was a German portrait painter of the 18th century. Since nothing is known about his training, researchers speculate that he may have been self-taught. In view of his virtuoso style, however, this is unlikely. Already as a young man, he moved to Vienna, where he married at the age of 20. Seybold was able to establish himself as a portraitist in Vienna and was named court painter to Empress Maria Theresa in 1749. Seybold's particular forte was his ability to realistically depict the physiognomy of his sitters. Self-portraits held an essential part in his oeuvre. Today, Seybold's works are housed in museums throughout Europe.