The Life and Training of August Fink August Fink begins his life in Munich, Germany, born on April 30, 1846. His early years do not follow the path of a painter. Instead, he undergoes training as a merchant. This commercial focus leads him far from Bavaria; in 1859, he travels to the United States. He spends seven years working in the American merchant trade, navigating a life of commerce until 1866. The shift toward art happens in p…