Adam August Müller

Adam August Müller (16 August 1811 – 15 March 1844), a Danish history painter, was one of Eckersberg's favourite students. Generally unhealthy and dead at 32, his work is recognized as an important component in Danish art. His favourite subjects were historical and religious themes

Son of Bishop Peter Erasmus Müller, Adam Müller was born in Copenhagen on 16 August 1811. He became a student of C. W. Eckerberg at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1825, joining the Model School in 1828 where he won the silver medal in 1833 and the gold medal in 1836. In 1829, he exhibited Aladdin, staaende bag Pillen, ser Gulnare (Aladdin, standing behind the pillar, sees Gulnare) and the following year exhibited a number of portraits, two of which were purchased for the Royal Collection.

In 1838, he competed with Heinrich Eddelien for a scholarship to Italy. Eddelein prevailed but, thanks to the intercession of Bertel Thorvaldsen, Müller received some travel money as well. In 1839, he went to Italy after a short stay in Munich. His studies of Florentine painting encouraged him to adopt a new approach to religious painting, emulating the old Italian style. This earned him the Thorvaldsen Medal for "Christ Blesses the Four Evangelists", painted in 1843 after he had returned to Denmark.

He had only just recovered from a serious illness when he went to Italy and was frequently ill while there. After his return, his health deteriorated and he died on 15 March 1844, leaving several unfinished commissions.

• Aladdin, staaende bag Pillen, ser Gulnare (1829)
• Aladdin griber imellem andre drenge efter de nedkastede pommeranser (1831)
• Landskab med en hvilende jæger (1832)
• Den Saarede Herluf Trolle, som modtages af sin Hustru og af Skolens Disciple paa Herlufsholm (1832)
• Flugten til Ægypten (1833)
• Brystbillede af en ældre mand (1834)
• Christus prædiker fra Skibet, altarpiece (1834)
• Odysseus kommer til Nausikae (1835)
• Valdemar Sejer i Fængsel (1836)
• David opmuntrer Saul ved sit Harpespil (1838)
• Christus giver sig til Kjende for Disciplene i Emmaus (1838)
• Christus velsigner de 4 Evangelister (1842)
• Den fortabte Søns Hjemkomst (1843)