Carl Spitzweg

Estate of the artist
Otto Spitzweg (until 1906)
Bernhard Lippert, Magdeburg
Hans Günther Sohl, Düsseldorf (by 1967)

Berlin, Nationalgalerie, 23. Sonderausstellung, 1886, no. 10, as Alter Herr vor dem Frühstückstisch stehend und lesend
Prague, Rudolfinum, Spitzweg Exhibition, 1887, no. 105, as Zeitungslesender beim Frühstück
Berlin, Nationalgalerie, Deutsche Jahrhundertausstellung, 1906, no. 1675, illustrated in the catalogue

J. Vogel, Carl Spitzweg. Acht Gemälde, Leipzig, 1921
M. von Boehn, Carl Spitzweg, Bielefeld and Leipzig, 1937, p. 8, illustrated
Günther Roennefahrt, Beschreibendes Verzeichnis seiner Gemälde, Ölstudien und Aquarelle, Munich, 1960, no. 881, p. 230, illustrated
Siegfried Wichmann, Carl Spitzweg. Die Lektüre, Starnberg, 1997, p. 12, illustrated
Siegfried Wichmann, Carl Spitzweg. Die Skizze und das fertige Bild. Starnberg, 2000, p. 12
Siegfried Wichmann, Carl Spitzweg, Werkverzeichnis der Werke - Gemälde und Aquarelle, Stuttgart, 2002, p. 207,  no. 522, catalogued  (with the incorrect measurements and illustration)

Apart from very slight convex bowing, the board is in good stable condition. There is minor frame rubbing along the extreme edges, with some tiny localised spots of re-touching (visible under ultraviolet light). The work is in very good original condition, and is ready to hang. Held in a decorative gold-painted wood and plaster frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Like his bookworms, postmen, hermits, and soldiers, the reclusive man of letters is one of the long list of Sonderlinge (eccentrics) who people Spitzweg's world and at whom he pokes gentle fun. Here, a myopic dressing-gown clad academic reads his morning post over a first pipe while a tame blackbird picks the crumbs from his breakfast table. Spitzweg evokes a haven of sheltered contentment, its denizens literally and spiritually cut off from the world at large.