12 Facts About Robert Koehler

Robert Koehler was a German-born painter and art teacher who spent most of his career in the United States.

Robert Koehler graduated from the academy in 1865, but continued his lessons with the school's drawing master, Henry Vianden, who had graduated from Munich's Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

Robert Koehler returned to New York after two years because of depleted funds.

Robert Koehler then set himself up as head of a private art school; pupils included Alfons Mucha.

Robert Koehler began to exhibit in the National Academy, New York, in 1877.

Robert Koehler organized the American department of the international art exhibition at Munich in 1883, and was appointed by the Bavarian authorities to act in the same capacity in the exhibition of 1888.

In 1892 Robert Koehler returned to New York City to work as a portrait artist.

Robert Koehler was involved with the establishment of Minneapolis' Museum of Fine Art, now the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Robert Koehler was a pioneer of art instruction and appreciation in the region.

Robert Koehler was president of the Minnesota State Art Commission from 1903 to 1910, member of the Artists' League of Minneapolis, honorary member of the Minnesota State Art Society, honorary member of the Alumni Association of the Minneapolis School of Art, member of the Society of Western Artists, a lecturer on art history at the University of Minnesota, and member of the Institute des Beaux Arts et des Lettres of Paris, France.

Robert Koehler received bronze and silver medals at the Munich Academy, honorable mention at the Paris World's Fair, 1889, bronze medal at the International Art Exhibition at Buenos Aires in 1910, and the cross of the Order of Saint Michael of Bavaria in 1888.

Robert Koehler continued working in Minneapolis, painting portraits and landscapes, teaching painting, and arranging exhibitions.