The Biographical Dictionary of America/Baker, William H.

BAKER, William H., artist, was born in 1825, and until he was forty-two years old made his home in New Orleans, where he was engaged in business. He became interested in art, studying it first as an avocation, and later adopting it as a vocation. Though painting some from the ideal, his principal work was portrait painting. In 1865 he opened a studio in New York city, and exhibited his work in the National academy of design. In 18B9 he accepted the position of principal of the free school of design of the Brooklyn art association and was very successful in his educational work. Among his best examples are: "Cupid Disarmed" (1866); "Cupid Reprimanded" (1871); "Red Riding-Hood" (1871); "Cherry Time" (1872); "Lillies of the Field" (1873); "Truants from School" (1875), and a portrait of Bishop Quintard of Tennessee. He died in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 29, 1875.