Einsiedler mit Mädchen. Um 1870.
Oil on panel.
Wichmann 831. With the estate stamp on the reverse (Lugt 2307). 37.5 x 30 cm (14.7 x 11.8 in).

• From the artist's estate and in possession of his extended family for a long time.
• Rare depiction of such a young hermit who is only too happy to be distracted.
• Further hermit paintings can be found in the world's largest and most important Spitzweg collection at the Georg Schäfer Museum, Schweinfurt.
• At the entrance to the cave Spitzweg uses the unique glowing cobalt cerulean blue that he had created as a pharmacist - Spitzweg expert Jens Christian Jensen calls it "the eyes of heaven".
• Fascinating combination of landscape, dramatic lighting and fantasy in Spitzweg's mature work.

We are grateful to Mr Detlef Rosenberger, who eyed the original work, for his kind support in cataloging this lot.

PROVENANCE: From the artist's estate.
Collection Major Karl Loreck (teh artist's nephew in-law), Munich (with the name on the reverse, family-owned until at least 1986).
Private collection Southern Germany.

EXHIBITION: Carl Spitzweg und die französischen Zeichner. Daumier-Grandville-Gavarni-Doré, Haus der Kunst, Munich, November 23, 1985 - February 2, 1986, p. 396, no. 749 (with illu.), p. 502.