BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES *3 



EDMUND H. OSTHAUS. 



Wholesome sport, of all forms pertaining to field and stream, appeal favorably 

 to the consideration of the famous artist, Edmund H. Osthaus, of Toledo, Ohio. As 

 an angler he is skilful, and takes much genuine pleasure with rod and reel; but his 

 sport with dog and gun transcend all others. It is to him a constant delight. Of mag- 

 nificent physique and power, what to others would be feats of hardship and endur- 

 ance afield, are to him mere incidents of the day's doings. 



In their respective habitats, he has, through many seasons, hunted prairie chickens, 

 ruffled grouse, quail, snipe and woodcock, through the great Mississippi Valley, from 

 British America to the Gulf of Mexico, besides hunting in lesser game sections. 



His kennel contains both well-bred setters and pointers, and he exacts, as a pre- 

 requisite for favorable consideration, that they shall be of special excellence as field per- 

 formers. These he keeps for his own private shooting and for the friends who are 

 favored with an invitation to join him therein; for he is generous in sharing his pleas- 

 ures. The most famous of his kennel was Ripsey, a descendant of the great pointer 

 dog, Rip Rap. She was an excellent field performer and also was a winner several 

 times in the Members Stake of the Eastern Field Trial Club, a condition of the com- 

 petition being that the dogs shall be handled by owners, hence it is strictly an amateur 

 event. » 



He has been identified with field-trial activities to a conspicuous degree during 

 many years past, and has served in every useful capacity which makes for the best suc- 

 cess ,and dignity of the sport. Whether as judge and critic, officer and club member, 

 councilor and guide, his doings have been distinguished by constant efficiency and good 

 sense. Having a profound knowledge of field and field-trial work, combined with high 

 ideals and moral courage to fearlessly declare his judgments, he is much sought, by 

 field-trial clubs, to act ,as judge at their competitions. He has so served, ably served, 

 many times, but he much prefers the less exacting role of visitor, which permits of an 

 outing of greater enjoyments. 



To the world at large he is best known as a painter of hunting scenes. He most 

 sensibly and beautifully portrays the interesting themes of dog and gun and of fox hunt- 

 ing. His portraits of dogs are marvels 'of fidelity to truth. He is proficient equally 

 in painting landscapes, cattle, horses, etc., but his specialty is of sport afield. Among 

 his patrons are numbered the most fastidious connoisseurs. Many of his pictures adorn 

 the homes of distinguished patrons in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and 

 many other of the world's great cities. 



He was born in Hildesheim, Germany, on August 5, 1858. His father was a 

 gentleman farmer. His mother was an English woman of great beauty and personal 

 charm. He had a natural fondness for out-door life and admiration for the beautiful 

 of nature, which manifested itself in early boyhood. His artistic temperament early 

 found expression in attempts to sketch the sheep in the pastures, and the deer and other 

 wild animals which wandered from the neighboring forests. As in nearly all such 

 youthful proclivity to the artistic associations of life, this penchant was disapproved by 

 his father, who desired that his son should study architecture. After much importun- 

 ity his father gave reluctant consent to a six months' trial of him at the Art Academy 

 in Dusseldorf. He acquitted himself with such pronounced success that his father 

 permitted him to take the entire course. Later his parents journeyed to the United 

 States, where they thereafter made their home. After completing his studies at Dus- 

 seldorf, he entered the Atalier of Mr. Christian Kroner, a renowned painter of wild 

 animals and forest scenery. Later he rejoined his parents in the United States. From 

 1885 to 1893 he was engaged as chief instructor in the Toledo Academy of Fine Arts, 

 an institution established by D. R. Locke, better known as the humorist, "Petroleum 

 V. Nasby." Since then he has painted successfully as a free lance. 



