Christian Schussele: A Pioneer of American Realism Christian Schussele (1824 – 1879) stands as a pivotal figure in the history of American art, recognized primarily for his groundbreaking role in establishing drawing and painting instruction at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), but also celebrated for his prolific output of portraits and genre paintings that captured the spirit of mid-century America. Born in Guebwiller, Alsace Lorraine—then part of France—Schussele’s artistic journey began with formal training in Strasbourg and Paris before he immigrated to the United States in…