Maler Müller
Maler Müller, born Friedrich Müller on January 13, 1749, in Kreuznach, was a German poet, playwright, and painter known for his contributions to literature and the arts during the Sturm und Drang movement. Initially trained in painting at Zweibrücken, he shifted his focus to writing between 1774 and 1778 while serving as the court painter in Mannheim. In 1778, Müller moved to Italy, where he spent the remainder of his life and ultimately converted to Roman Catholicism in 1780. His literary work is characterized by sentimental and slightly satirical prose poems that depict peasant life, with notable pieces including "Die Schafschur" and "Das Nuss-Kernen." Although his lyric drama "Niobe" did not garner much attention, he gained recognition with "Fausts Leben dramatisiert" that same year. His historical drama "Golo und Genoveva," released in 1811, drew inspiration from Goethe's works. Müller’s collected writings were published in three volumes between 1811 and 1825, and he passed away in Rome on April 23, 1825. His legacy reflects a blend of artistic and literary achievements that resonate with both historical and cultural significance.
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Maler Müller
Poet
- Born: January 13, 1749
- Birthplace: Kreuznach, Germany
- Died: April 23, 1825
- Place of death: Rome, Italy
Biography
German poet, playwright, and painter Frierich Müller, also known as Maler (Painter) Müller, was born in Kreuznach on January 13, 1749. He studied painting at Zweibrücken. From 1774 to 1778, Müller spent most of his time writing. His work was heavily influenced by the rousing, emotionally charged Sturm und Drang movement in German literature.
In 1777, he was appointed court painter at Mannheim. The following year he left for Italy, which would remain his home for the rest of his life. Soon after his arrival in Italy, Müller gave up painting and focused instead on the history of art. He converted to Roman Catholicism in 1780.
Müller is perhaps best known for his sentimental, slightly satirical prose poems describing peasant life in the country, including Die Schafschur (1775) and Das Nuss- Kernen (1811). In 1778 he published the lyric drama Niobe, which attracted scant attention. During the same year, however, he established his literary reputation with the publication of Fausts Leben dramatisiert, a play on the theme of Faust. Golo und Genoveva, a historical drama that imitated Johann Wolfgang Goethe’s Götz von Berlichingen, was published in 1811. Maler Müller’s Werke, Müller’s collected works, were published in three volumes from 1811 to 1825. Müller died in Rome on April 23, 1825.