(Dresden 1807–1865 Munich)
A scene from the Tyrolean Rebellion, signed, dated M. Müller 1844, on the reverse remains of an exhibition label, oil on canvas 74 x 60.5 cm, slightly damaged, framed (frame slightly damaged), (Rei)

Provenance:
Private Collection Germany.

This lot is a particularly impressive demonstration of why Carl Friedrich Moritz Müller was known to his contemporaries as “Feuermüller”. The Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie said the following about him: he “achieved the most striking effect in his nocturnal scenes, which appears all the more brilliant because his figures are perfectly characterised, being drawn and painted in an utterly perfect manner”. In order to achieve such a high-quality effect, Müller completely darkened his studio and only painted by the light of a candle that had been carefully positioned. The present lot shows a Tyrolean peasant family defending their house from French-Bavarian troops (here: French light infantry), and the lighting of the image by the battle fire makes the group of figures appear even more alive.
The Tyrolean uprising against the Bavarian powers of occupation appointed by Napoleon was glorified in 19th century art. Under the leadership of Andreas Hofer, the Tyroleans fought for Tyrol’s freedom from Napoleonic occupation, although this freedom would only go on to last for six months.