Artwork

Old Sycamore

Old Sycamore, by Otto Henry Bacher, 1877
Old Sycamore, by Otto Henry Bacher, 1877

Old Sycamore is a print by the Impressionist artist Otto Henry Bacher. It dates from 1877 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Old Sycamore, created in 1877 by American artist Otto Henry Bacher, is a black-and-white sketch featuring a solitary sycamore tree in a serene landscape. The piece is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a lone, bare sycamore tree with twisted branches extending over calm water, set against a backdrop of small hills and a distant ship. The tree's gnarled, reaching form and the overall stillness evoke a sense of quiet contemplation.

Technique & Style

Executed with simple yet detailed lines, the sketch emphasizes the tree's rough texture and the water's subtle ripples, characteristic of Bacher's attention to detail, often associated with Realist tendencies.

History & Provenance

Painted in 1877 by Otto Henry Bacher, a Cleveland-born artist known for etchings, illustrations, and genre oil paintings, the work is currently housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Otto Henry Bacher

Artist

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.