Alexander Osmerkin was born into the family of a land surveyor in Elizavetgrad (nowadays Kirovograd, Ukraine) on November 26 (December 8) 1892. He studied at the Kiev Art School (1909–1911) under N. K. Pimonenko, and then at I. I. Mashkov's School Studio in Moscow (1912–1913). 
Alexander Osmerkin was a member of the art groups Jack of Diamonds (Bubnovy Valet), Moscow Artists’ Society and AKhRR. Mostly staying in Moscow he frequented Leningrad.

Just like all the members of the Jack of Diamonds art group he was strongly influenced by Cezanne, as well as French fauvism and cubism. 
Alexander Osmerkin mostly painted chamber portrait and still lifes, as well as contemplative landscapes. From time to time though he "reported" with historical revolutionary canvasses or formal portraits of leaders and top performers.