William James Müller (British, 1812-1845)
The slave market, Cairo
Oil on canvas
61 x 101 cm
Private collection
Sold for £6,250 in July 2022
Müller arrived in Egypt by steamer in November 1838. He was one of the first established European artists to visit Egypt and was there at at the same time as David Roberts, although neither knew of the other’s presence there.
Müller was exhilarated by his arrival in the bustling metropolis of Cairo and was particularly intrigued by the slave market, which he described as ‘one of my most favourite haunts’. He recorded the market, where he sketched on many occasions, in some detail, providing a uniquely detailed depiction of an European’s reaction to the ‘revolting’ place:
‘One enters this building, which is situated in a quarter the most dark, dirty and obscure of any at Cairo, by a sort of lane - then one arrives at some large gates. The market is held in an open court, surrounded with arches of the Roman character. In the centre of this court the slaves are exposed for sale, and in general to the number of from thirty to forty- nearly all young, many quite infants. The scene is of a revolting nature, yet I did not see, as I expected, the dejection and sorrow I was led to imagine...'
More on this work
William James Müller (British, 1812-1845)
Mandraki harbour, Rhodes
oil on canvas
51 x 76cm (20 1/16 x 29 15/16in)
Private collection
Mandraki is the main harbour of Rhodes where once mentioned in the old ages stood the Colossus of Rhodes. Today, the statues of two deers named ‘’Elefos’’ and ‘’Elafina’’ stand where once stood the feet of the colossus. . By the city walls facing seawards, there is the castle of Saint Nicholaos which received its title from the patron saint of the seaman. This castle operates as a lighthouse. More on Mandraki harbour,
William James Müller (1812-1845), English landscape and figure painter, was born at Bristol on the 28th of June 1812, his father, a Prussian, being curator of the museum. He first studied painting under J. B. Pyne. His early subjects deal mainly with the scenery of Gloucestershire and Wales, and he learned much from his study of Claude, Ruysdael, and earlier landscape-painters. In 1833 he figured for the first time in the Royal Academy with his "Destruction of Old London Bridge - Morning," and next year he made a tour through France, Switzerland and Italy. Four years later he visited Athens, extending his travels to Egypt, and in the sketches executed during this period and the paintings produced from them his power and individuality are apparent. Shortly after his return he left Bristol and settled in London, where he exhibited regularly. In 1840 he again visited France, where he executed a series of sketches of Renaissance architecture, twenty-five of which were lithographed and published in 1841, in a folio entitled The Age of Francis I. of France. In 1843 he accompanied, at his own request and his own charges, the government expedition to Lycia, where he made a number of masterly sketches. He died at Bristol on the 8th of September 1845. More on William James Müller
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