KELLER

keller, albert (1845- ), german painter, was born at gais, in switzerland; he studied at the munich academy under lenbach and ramberg, and must be counted among the leading colourists of the modern german school. travels in italy, france, england and holland, and a prolonged sojourn in paris, helped to develop his style, which is marked by a sense of elegance and refinement all too rare in german art. his scenes of society life, such as the famous "dinner" (1890), are painted with thoroughly parisian _esprit_, and his portraits are marked by the same elegant distinction. he is particularly successful in the rendering of rustling silk and satin dresses and draperies. his historical and imaginative works are as modern in spirit and as unacademical as his portraits. at the munich pinakothek is his painting "jairi tochterlein" (1886), whilst the konigsberg museum contains his "roman bath," and the liebieg collection in reichenberg the "audience with louis xv.," the first picture that drew attention to his talent. among other important works he painted "faustina in the temple of juno at praeneste," "the witches' sleep" (1888), "the judgment of paris," "the happy sister," "temptation" (1892), "autumn" (1893), "an adventure" (1896), and "the crucifixion."