The New International Encyclopædia/Keller, Albert von

KELLER, Albert von (1845—). A German-Swiss historical and genre painter, born at Gais, near Zurich. He studied philosophy and law at the University of Munich, before taking up painting as a pupil of Lenbach, and afterwards of Ramberg at the academy there. After traveling in Italy, France, England, and the Netherlands, he exhibited in Vienna (1873) “An Audience with Louis XV.,” then painted for a time groups and female figures in modern costume, and in Paris (1882-83) scenes from the life of antiquity with rich architectural surroundings. “A Roman Bath” (Königsberg Museum) was followed by the masterly “Raising of Jairus's Daughter” (1886, New Pinakothek, Munich), “Empress Faustina in the Temple of Juno at Præneste,” “Witch's Sleep” (1888), a girl hypnotized standing on the burning stake, and “Saint Julia on the Cross” (1892). He is considered one of the finest modern colorists, and was awarded gold medals in Munich and Berlin. He was made professor at and honorary member of the Munich Academy, and was decorated in 1898 with the Order of the Bavarian Crown, which conferred upon him nobility. A selection of his works, in photogravure, was published in Munich in 1899.