Nathaniel Sichel was a German painter and book illustrator. He was best known for his portrayal of expressive female figures.

Nathaniel Sichel's artistic career began at the Royal Academy of Art in Munich, where he was trained in the academic tradition by Julius Schrader. He continued his studies in Paris at the École des Beaux arts where he won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1864 with a painting entitled Joseph explains the dreams of the Pharaoh. This work solidified his reputation as a painter of Orientalist and historical subjects.