The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Müller, Victor

MÜLLER, Victor, German historical painter: b. Frankfort, 29 March 1829; d. Munich, 21 Dec. 1871. Beginning his artistic career at the Frankfort art school, he continued it at Antwerp and ultimately went to Paris (1849), where he stayed for 11 years, diligently studying the methods and manner of Couture, Delacroix and Courbet. He settled in Munich in 1865, and for the castle of Kronberg in the Taunus painted a series of scenes from the history of Baron Hartmuth von Kronberg. He also produced his famous ‘Hero and Leander.’ Following these works came ‘Hamlet with Horatio in the Churchyard’; ‘Ophelia’; ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ and his last and unfinished work, ‘Faust on a Stroll.’ Among his other works are ‘Wood Nymph’; ‘Tannnhäuser in Venusberg’; ‘A Scene from Les Misérables.’ His last finished picture was a ‘Flower Girl.’ All of his works are distinguished by a certain literary or poetic character which appeals to the fancy like a strain of lyric music, although the coloring sometimes runs in its vividness to the verge of extravagance.