Albert Sterner

Albert Sterner (1863-1946) was a British/American painter, printmaker, and illustrator. He is best known for his portraits, figurative works, and illustrations for magazines and books.

Sterner was born in London and immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of nine. He showed an early interest in art and began studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia at the age of sixteen. In 1883, he moved to Paris to continue his studies at the Académie Julian and the École des Beaux-Arts. 

After returning to the United States in 1887, Sterner established himself as a portrait painter and illustrator. He created illustrations for numerous magazines, including Harper's Weekly, Scribner's Magazine, and Collier's Weekly. He also illustrated books by writers such as Mark Twain, Henry James, and Edith Wharton.


In addition to his illustrations, Sterner continued to paint portraits and figurative works throughout his career. He was a member of the National Academy of Design, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the National Institute of Arts and Letters. In 1929, he was elected president of the National Academy of Design.

Sterner continued to paint and illustrate well into his later years. He died in 1946 at the age of 83. Today, his work can be found in numerous museums and collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Library of Congress.