Albert Baur

In 1854, against his parents' wishes, he quit medical school and enrolled at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, where he studied from 1855 to 1857.

This work was commissioned by the jurist, Johann Friedrich Hector Philippi [de], the father of Baur's friend and school colleague, Heinrich Ludwig Philippi, whose influence prompted him to specialize in history painting.

One of his first major works depicted the body of Otto III being carried across the Alps to Germany.

In 1872, he was named a Professor at the Grand-Ducal Saxon Art School, Weimar, but his attendance was apparently rather sporadic as he took numerous study trips throughout Europe.

Among the best known works from this later period are a series of "Nischenbilder" (niche paintings) for the Neues Rathaus [de] (Town Hall), depicting the Love of Art, Industriousness, Desire for Knowledge (Wissensdrang) and Patriotism.