Otto Böhler

Otto Böhler (1847–1913) was an Austrian silhouette artist who specialized in portraits of many great conductors, composers, and pianists of his time.

Following his artistic talent, he became a pupil of the painter and writer Wenzel Ottokar Noltsch (1835–1908). Soon, however, he turned to the art of the silhouette, and found in his musical environment a rich field. Böhler's friends were to include the singer Amalie Materna, Hermann Winkelmann, Theodor Reichmann, and musicians of the Vienna Philharmonic. In 1876 he attended as a member of the Bayreuth Patrons Association, the first Bayreuth Festival, and paid homage to his "musical god" Richard Wagner.

Böhler has held in silhouette almost all the German composers from Bach to Mahler, but also conductors and pianists of his time. The original works remained only sporadically, mainly in museums. His motifs were often reprinted, e.g. on postcards and in newspapers.