John on Patmos 

Victor Müller rendered "John on Patmos" in delicate graphite, though its date is unknown. The image depicts the apostle John in exile, penning the Book of Revelation. Consider the setting: John is isolated on a small island surrounded by water, a landscape suggesting both spiritual contemplation and social alienation. The eagle, a traditional symbol of John, is perched nearby, perhaps symbolizing divine inspiration. Müller, working in 19th-century Germany, engages with themes of faith and individualism, resonating with the era’s changing religious landscape. Institutions like the church were facing new challenges from scientific and philosophical thought, and artists often grappled with these tensions in their work. Was Müller using this biblical scene to comment on his own society's spiritual questioning? Examining Müller’s personal biography, along with the religious and intellectual history of 19th-century Germany, could offer valuable insights into the socio-political dimensions of this drawing. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.