his father, diethelm (1812-1868), was an engraver who originally came from brugg in aargau. he left school at the age of sixteen to begin studies with his father. from 1859 to 1861, he was apprenticed to rudolf koller in zürich and, upon koller's recommendation, continued his studies with johann wilhelm schirmer at the academy of fine arts, karlsruhe, where he met and befriended hans thoma.