Bass Otis

1784–1861 (age 77)

Biography

Bass Otis, born in 1784, emerged as one of the early republic's most trusted portrait painters and engravers, capturing presidents and leading citizens with a steady hand. His keen eye for detail also guided the engraving of maps and coins, helping to define the visual language of a young nation.

He lies at Lawnview Memorial Park, where admirers of early American art can still honor his work. His quiet dedication to craft ensured that future generations could see themselves reflected in the nation's burgeoning identity.