Wilhelm Koller

Wilhelm Koller was an artist active during the mid-nineteenth century, with documented production spanning the years 1839 to 1867. His represented output consists primarily of intricate works on paper, with nine cataloged drawings held in collections, alongside one recorded painting.

Koller’s oeuvre frequently focused on allegorical and anecdotal subjects, often utilizing anthropomorphic animals to convey satirical narratives or fables. Specific known works reveal this thematic focus, including the detailed drawing Naaktslakken als artsen op bezoek bij zieke sprinkhaan and the related pieces Dierenmaaltijd and Dierfabel. The artist also executed genre studies, such as Marktscène, and focused animal depictions, including Twee spreeuwen en een vos.

The artistic importance of Koller is established by the inclusion of his works in major international institutions. Examples of the artist’s drawings and the sole known Wilhelm Koller painting are preserved in the permanent collections of both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Rijksmuseum. Due to his active period ending in the 1860s, many of these cataloged works have entered the public domain, making high-quality prints available for study and reference.