Christian Eduard Boettcher, German 1818-1889

Born in Imgenbroich near Montjoie, Christian Eduard Boettcher was the son of a factory director. In 1834, after the early death of his parents, the boy went to live with his aunt. He began working as a lithography assistant for the Eberoche Publishing Company in Stuttgart, and later worked for the Von Aruz Lithography Company. A man of various talents, Boettcher also began painting portraits.

His artistic education began in earnest in 1844 upon his enrollment at the Dusseldorf Academy where he studied until 1849. His instructors included Theodor Hildebrand, an artist known for his color and originality, and Wilhelm von Schadow, who was considered an excellent...