Rosa Müller was a British artist predominantly known for her naturalistic landscape paintings depicting the upland scenery of North Wales and South West England.

Hailing from Bristol, she was born into an artistic family. Her father, Nathan Cooper Branwhite (1775-1857), was a portraitist and both of her brothers became painters. In 1849, she also married an artist, Edmund Gustavus Muller (1816-1888). Her style, particularly her colouring, is comparable to her husband’s and the two probably worked closely together.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and Royal West of England Academy hold examples of her work.

Exhibited

Royal West of England Academy where she was a member.

Public Collections

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Royal West of England Academy.

Timeline

1822

Born in Bristol to Nathan Cooper Branwhite (1775-1857), an artist. Two of her brothers also became artists - Nathan Branwhite (1813-94) and Charles Branwhite (1817-80).

1841

Lived in Bristol with her father and siblings. Born Rosetta Branwhite.

1849

Married the artist Edmund Gustavus Muller (1816-1888).

1851

Lived in Bristol with her husband, her daughter and staff.

1861

Lived in Westbury on Trym, Bristol with her husband, two daughters, son and staff.

1871

Lived in Clevedon, Somerset, with her daughter.

1881

Lived in Westbury on Trym with her husband, two daughters and staff. Occupation recorded as ‘Wife of Landscape Painter’.

1882

Reviewed in The Artist following an exhibition at the Bristol Academy.

“Mrs. Rosa Müller sends several good landscapes, especially ‘The church pool, Bettws-y-coed’, and ‘On the Conway, North Wales’. E. G. Müller is also represented by landscape work.”

1895

Mentioned in the press regarding a forthcoming exhibition of the Royal West of England Academy.

“Bristol. The Academy for the Promotion of Fine Arts. President C. C. A. Cave. Honorary Secretary Robt. Hall Warren.

The Academy consists of 31 Members and 12 Associates. Elections held in January and June. There are six Galleries, handsomely draped, in which exhibitions are held in the Spring and Winter. At the Spring exhibition, which opens in March and closes in July, an Art union is held. The Winter exhibition, which opens in November and closes in January following, is principally for specially invited works; separate galleries being devoted, as far as possible, to the different Schools of Painting. Commission on sales 10 per cent.

The present Members are: - F. A. W. T. Armstrong, C. Brooke Branwhite, W. Collingwood, R.W.S.; Henry Crisp, F.R.I.B.A.; J. Doubting, J. Drummond, Ernest E. Ehlers, James Fisher, John Fisher, W. A. Frank, E. Gouldsmith, C. C. Grundy, W. Matthew Hale, R.W.S.; Heywood Hardy, A.R.W.S.; E. Havell, Lawford Huxtable, S. P. Jackson, R.W.S.; Mrs. Rosa Müller, H. Morley Park, A. Wilde Parsons, John F. Parsons, J. H. Parkyn, C. P. Knight, Robert Mayes, Miss Juliana Russells, W. E. Jones, F.R.I.B.A.; Reginald Smith, A.R.C.A.; Henry E. Stacy, Miss F. M. Steele, Henry Whatley, John Wyard.”

1901

Lived in Clifton, Bristol, with her two daughters and a servant. ‘Living on own means’.

1914

Died.

Obituary, The Western Daily Press.

"The funeral of Mrs Rosa Müller, widow of the late Mr Edmund Gustavus Müller, and the younger daughter of Mr Nathan Cooper Branwhite, who died on Tuesday at her residence, 47, Hampton Park, in her 92nd year, took place on Saturday at Arno's Vale Cemetery. Prior to the interment, a service was held at St. Anselm's Church, Whatley Road, Clifton, conducted by the Rev. Perey E. F. Shattock. The principal mourners were Miss Müller, Mr C. Brooke Branwhite, Miss Branwhite, Mr R. Mayes, Mr. T. Thatcher, Miss B. Sommerville, Miss Eva Sommerville, Mr Bert Chappell, and Nurse Caines. Amongst those also present at the service were Mr F. A. W. T. Armstrong chairman of the artist members of the Royal West of England Academy), Mr A. Wilde Parsons, Mr R. Gouldsmith, Mrs Chappell, Dr. Waldo, Dr. E. C. Board, and Mr J. Drewett.

Many beautiful floral tributes were sent, including those from Miss Müller, Mr C. Brooke Branwhite, Miss Branwhite, Mr R. Mayes, Mrs Chappell, Mr and Mrs Bertie Chappell, the artist members of the Royal West of England Academy, Mrs Sommerville, Mrs Jay, and Florence Williams. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs Lewis and Co., Stokes Croft."