English: Kleobis and Biton, sons of Cydippe asleep on the steps of the temple. Signed with monogram and dated 1830. Oil on canvas. 97 x 81 cm.

Kleobis and Biton were the sons of Cydippe, a priestess of Hera/Juno. After having pulled the cart with their mother to a festival for the goddess for 8.5 km, they fell asleep on the steps of the temple. Proud of the strength and devotion of her sons, Cydippe prayed to Hera to give them the best gift a god could grant a mortal. Hera heard the prayer and bestowed the brothers that they would die in their sleep, hence they never woke up (Herodot 1. 31).

Exhibited: Charlottenborg 1830 no. 84.

Proveniens: Mrs Dorph (1883).

Adam Müller started as a student at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen in 1821. C. W. Eckersberg writes in his diary on 27 September 1825 is (in Danish): "Young Adam Möller began to draw," and from this day on and up to 1836 Müller is a student of Eckersberg. Müller becomes one of Eckersberg's favourite students, and the teacher has very affectionate feelings for the young painter and at Müller's all to early death, Eckersberg writes in his diary on 21 March 1844 (in Danish): "At 9 o'clock this morning, the body of my deceased and beloved Adam Möller was brought to the grave at Assistens Cemetery ...." Eckersberg's influence on Adam Müller is evident in this painting.

(Text and picture from Bruun Rasmussen, Denmark)