Bern. Houper
1809
Here stands a cheerful gentleman from Bern, captured by Franz Niklaus König in 1809, looking like he's just about to propose a toast. Dressed in the distinct regional fashion of the time—with a tricorn hat, a dark coat with red trim, and voluminous white breeches—he clutches a wine bottle and glass with evident satisfaction. König was a master of depicting Swiss folk life, and his colorful studies of local costumes became hugely popular souvenirs for travelers exploring the Alps. This piece is a delightful slice of Romantic-era Switzerland, celebrating the simple pleasures of local culture and a good drink.