The Master of Bavarian Elegance In the grand tapestry of nineteenth-century European art, few threads shine with as much refined luster as the works of Joseph Karl Stieler. Born in November 1781 in the historic city of Mainz, Stieler was destined for a life steeped in the meticulous traditions of craftsmanship. His father, August Friedrich Stieler, was a respected engraver and punchcutter, providing the young artist with an early educ…