Benno Frederick Toermer
Benno Frederick Toermer (Törmer), (4 July 1804 – 6 February 1859) was a painter. He was born and educated in Dresden, Saxony, in what is now Germany. He also studied and worked in Rome, Italy. Rome became his second home where he lived, with brief interruptions, until his death from a heart attack on 6 February 1859. While at the Academy in Dresden, Toermer painted religious and historical subjects, such as Joseph's interpreting dreams while in prison. When in Italy, his subjects were based on gods of legend and romantic motifs. Toermer often painted in the style  of the old Dutch. In 1852 Toemer was invited to exhibit a work entitled “The Wedding Morning – Ill Omen” at the Royal Academy in London. He was an honorary member of the Patriotic Society of Natural History in Dresden. In July 1853 he was awarded the title of professor of Dresden by the Saxon Art Association. Biography. Benno Friedrich Törmer was born on 4 July 1804 in Dresden, the Borough of Neustadt, in current Germany. He was the second son of a Royal Saxon Captain and drawing teacher at the Dresden Engineering Academy. Törmer's nephew was the painter Hugo  Törmer (1846-1902) of Loschwitz in Dresden. Törmer wanted to be an artist at an early age, by the time he was 15 he had entered the Dresden Art Academy, studying under Karl Vogel von Vogelstein. While a student, he worked on the art in the Chapel and dining room at Pillnitz Castle, the summer home of electors and kings of Saxony. In August 1829 he was awarded a fellowship for a two-year study in Italy. The fellowship was renewed for another three years. Rome became his second home where he became a Papal legate and later professor. He  unexpectedly died in Rome from a heart attack on 6 February 1859.