Antique Print Mission Oak “The Bookworm in this Library”, Carl Spitzweg, c. 1900

Description

Up for auction is a copy of The Bookworm by Carl Spitzweg (1808-1885).
This popular image of a contemplative elderly gentleman standing on a ladder in a library, with books tucked under his arm and between his legs, was often engraved in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and still sold as posters today.
We date this print to the early 1900’s based on style of print and age of frame.
Seems to have been reframed in recent years based on the updated backing.
Print itself measures 9.25” by 17”.
Print has great coloring and has been kept out of the sun.
Overall framed it measures 22” by 14.5”.
Minor damaged to frame on left lower corner and a bit of detailing missing.
The original painting was created in 1850 and is now in the collection of the Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, donated by a collector who also gave several Spitzweg paintings to the Milwaukee Art Museum.