Bass Otis

Bass Otis, an American artist born in 1784 and deceased in 1861, was a prominent figure in the early 19th-century art scene. He is best known for his contributions to the American portrait painting tradition, particularly during the period of the Hudson River School, although he was not directly associated with the movement. Otis was one of the first American artists to experiment with lithography, a technique that would later gain significant popularity. His work primarily focused on portraiture, capturing the likenesses of notable figures of his time, which contributed to the documentation of American history and culture. Otis's legacy is marked by his role in advancing the technical and stylistic aspects of portrait painting in the United States.