Hermann Heinrich Becker (painter)

Hermann Heinrich Becker (1817-1885) was a German painter, art historian, author and writer.

Biedermeier Couple by Hermann Becker

Becker was born 24 September 1817 in Hamburg, the son to Hamburg merchant and broker Hermann Becker (died 1838). From 1839 to 1844 he studied at the Düsseldorf Academy of Arts, under Karl Ferdinand Sohn, Carl Gottfried Eybe, and Christoph Wilhelm Wohlien, afterwards going on study trips to Antwerp, Paris, Brussels and Italy. In 1844 he settled in Düsseldorf as a painter and worked on history and genre subjects.[1]

In 1844 Becker was a founding member of the Verein Düsseldorfer Künstler zu gegenseitiger Unterstützung und Hülfe (Association of Düsseldorf Artists for Mutual Support and Assistance), and in 1848 a founder of the Malkasten artist' association. He was also a member of the Hamburger Künstler-Verein (Hamburg Artists' Association), and an 1856 founder of the Allgemeine Deutsche Kunstgenossenschaft (German General Art Cooperative) at Bingen am Rhein.[1]

In 1866 he lived and became an art critic at Cologne. The Historical Archive of the City of Cologne contains his unpublished manuscript for a comedy play Hermann der Cherusker.[1]

Becker's painting was associated with the Nazarene movement. His work included religious motifs, mythological, historical and genre themes, and portraits.[1]

Becker died 3 May 1885 at Aachen. His son was also named Hermann.[1]