MÜLLER, Josef (The Artist’s Paternal Uncle)

Description:
Bust-length before a view of the Ursenthal, Hospental just visible over his right shoulder. Oil on canvas, 25.1/2″ x 17.3/4″ (65 cm x 45 cm), signed and dated lower right ‘A. Muller-Ury 1906’.

Location:
Historisches Museum von Uri, Altdorf, Switzerland.

Bibliography:
Urner Wochenblatt, Altdorf, Switzerland, November 10, 1906.

A photograph of the sitter from c. 1870.


Portrait of Josef Müller by an anonymous artist, c. 1875, today at the Stiftung Adolfo Muller-Ury.

The sitter (1837-1904) was the younger brother of Alois Müller-Lombardi. He became Domherr and Subrigens at the Monastery of Chur.

This portrait was painted specifically for the Historisches Museum von Uri’s collection of portraits of notables from Canton Uri, and received there in August 1906, with that of his brother. (The acknowledgement document from the Museum is reproduced in the entry for the portrait of his brother.)