Alfred Seifert was born in Praskolesy, Bohemia (present day Czech Republic) on 6 September, 1850. His talent as an artist emerged after he started drawing whilst recuperating from a serious illness. He was taught by Karel Würbs the inspector of Estates Gallery at Prague Castle and Alois Kirnig (1840-1911). In 1869, he was admitted into Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, studying under Michael Echter (1812-1879), Alexander von Wagner (1838-1919) and Johann Leonhard Raab (1825-1899). During this time, he started producing portraits of women and developed his own signature style, focussing on heads of girls which became known as "Seifert type".

Many of his works are a study of the sitter's profile and are beautifully composed using harmonious colours and tones. His portraits of women often include flowers as in this fine example. The painting depicts a young woman wearing a pearl necklace, symbolising purity and holding a pink rose which represents youth and beauty.

In 1876, he opened his own workshop in Munich and started exhibiting in Germany and Prague. He became a popular artist in Germany achieving success and spent most of his life there. He died in Munich on 6 February, 1901. Examples of his work can be found at the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne and the Rudolfinum, Prague.