Otto Henry Bacher

Otto Henry Bacher (May 31, 1856, Cleveland - August 16, 1909, Bronxville, New York) was an American artist; primarily known for his etchings and illustrations. He also painted oils in a variety of genres.

Biography Early life He was born to a family of German descent. After attending the public schools, he went to work as a decorative painter in mansions and on ships. In 1874, he was able to begin formal art studies with De Scott Evans, who specialized in still-lifes. Shortly after, he became one of the first members of the "Art Club", founded by Archibald Willard. He also spent a brief period at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

Upon returning he met a painter newly arrived in Ohio from Massachusetts, Willis Seaver Adams, and they became associates. When Adams helped create the Cleveland Academy of Fine Arts, he had Bacher appointed to the governing board. About this time, he also began to study etching with Sion Longley Wenban, an artist from Cincinnati.

He returned home in 1883 and opened a studio. Shortly after, he joined with Joseph DeCamp to operate a summer sketching class in Richfield, Ohio. He also began to paint more oils, but was unsuccessful in selling them or other items from his earlier period. As a result, he once again left for Europe; this time, Paris, where he took some classes at the Académie Julian. He was there for only a short time before continuing on to Venice, where he shared an apartment and studio with Robert Frederick Blum and Charles Ulrich.

Back in the USA (1888-1909) By 1888, Bacher was back in the United States and had settled in New York City after marrying a former art student from Cleveland, Mary Holland. They had four sons.

He was a much sought-after illustrator, both for books and magazines, such as Scribner's and McClure's. In 1901, he became one of the founding members of the Society of Illustrators. He won a silver medal for his etchings at the St. Louis Exposition of 1904 and was elected an associate of the National Academy of Design in 1906.

He spent the last years of his life in Bronxville and died there in 1909, from an undisclosed illness.

Selected works