Johann Rudolf Byss (1660–1738)

• Was a Swiss painter.

• He was born in Solothurn.

• First learned painting from his father Johann Joseph Byss, and later from Johann Heinrich Roos.

• Byss' most important works were done during his stay in Prague.

• He traveled to Germany, England and the Netherlands in the 1680s to study.
• In 1689, he became court painter to Count Hermann Jakob Cern.
• Later that year, Byss married Maximiliana Wagner.
• Johann Rudolf Byss is credited with bringing the Netherlandish and Italian classic styles to the art sphere in Prague.
• Johann Rudolf Byss obtained the citizenship of Prague in 1692.
• Two years later, he was inducted into the painters' guild, of which he later became master.
• His pupil was Johann Adalbert Angermeyer.
• Johann Rudolf Byss is also believed to be the teacher of the German painter Johann Michael Bretschneider.
• He died in Würzburg Germany.
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