Otto Brandt was born in 1828 as the nephew of Karl Begas in Berlin and studied at the Berlin Academy, where he also worked for illustrated magazines from 1850-52. For a short period he also studied in Paris under Léon Coginet. In late 1854 he permanently settled in Rome.

Brandt is especially known for his masterful, colorfully composed sketches, but he also produced a number of works in oil, gouache and watercolor, whereby landscapes and genre scenes were his favorite motifs. His works are on display at the National Gallery in Kassel and at the Märkisches Museum in Berlin.