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Gustav Mutzel, a German artist renowned for his detailed illustrations of mammals and birds, contributed significantly to notable scientific publications such as the second edition of Alfred Edmund Brehm's Thierleben and Richard Lydekker's The Royal Natural History. Born to Heinrich Mutzel, a painter, and Luise Pauline Friedrichs, Gustav began his formal education in art at the age of 18 at the Academy of Art, studying under Eduard Daege among others.
On November 1, 1865, Mutzel married Anna Schönherr in Berlin, and the couple had three children: Hans, Walter, and Gertrud. In pursuit of advancing his skills, Mutzel initially established himself as a photographer in Königsberg in Neumark. With the aim of integrating the latest advancements in photography, he relocated to Berlin in 1870.
Following the Franco-German War, Mutzel's career pivoted more towards illustration, where he made significant contributions to various important encyclopedias of the time. He was a prolific illustrator for the German Ornithological Society, joining its ranks in 1874. His broad interests also led him to become a member of the German Society for Anthropology, Ethnology, and Prehistory, as well as the Association of Berlin Artists. The Nielsen's Choral Society recognized his contributions by granting him an honorary membership.
