George Augustus Baker, Jr., was a successful portraitist in New York, where he spent most of his life. His father taught him the art of miniature painting, and he began a successful career as a miniature painter when he was only sixteen years old. He also attended classes at the National Academy of Design for seven years. From 1846 to 1848 he traveled in Europe, returning to establish a successful practice as a portraitist in New York. Although Baker painted a few ideal subjects, his subject matter was almost entirely limited to portraiture. In 1851 he was elected a member of the National Academy of Design. After 1866 he divided his time between New York and Darien, Connecticut. From 1867 to 1869 he taught at the National Academy of Design. He continued to exhibit regularly until his death in 1880.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Sketchings" column, The Crayon 1 (February 28, 1855): 140; 1 (March 21, 1855): 186; 1 (April 18, 1855): 250; 4 (April 1857): 123; 4 (July 1857): 221; 5 (June 1858): 176 § Tuckerman 1867, pp. 489-90 § Henry W. French, Art and Artists in Connecticut (1879; reprint, New York: Kennedy Graphics, 1970), pp. 109-10 § Obituary, American Art Review 1 (1880): 320-21 § Dictionary of American Biography, s.v. "Baker, George Augustus," with bibliography