Annunciation to the shepherds 

Victor Müller created this sketch, "Annunciation to the Shepherds", which is currently located at the Städel Museum. Müller lived through a period of significant social change, and his work often engaged with themes of nationalism and the role of the individual in society. Here we see Müller’s engagement with a biblical scene through the annunciation to the shepherds, which deviates from traditional representations by emphasizing the emotional and physical reactions of the shepherds. The sketch captures a moment of vulnerability and awe as the divine is revealed to them. There is a raw humanity in their expressions and postures. The angel is less a figure of authority, more a fleeting vision. Müller’s image invites a closer look at how power dynamics are depicted and how the narrative includes those who are often marginalized. In doing so, he offers a personal reflection on faith and humanity, rather than reinforcing established religious narratives.