Watercolor over pencil with additions of tempera on paper, laid down on pressboard
Near Verona/Italy, 1834
Carl Spitzweg (1808-1885) - German painter
Estate stamp lower center right, ‘S with rhombe/Spitzweg’
Literature: Wichmann, no. 70, p. 133
Broad gilt frame
Dimensions: 15 x 19.3 cm
Good condition
Provenance: Private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia
The early studies of Spitzweg are rarely found in the art market and sought-after collector's items

There is evidence that Carl Spitzweg traveled to Italy in 1834. His visited Merano, Verona and Trento, as some of his drawings testify. On May 5, Spitzweg arrived in Venice. The present study after a pine tree was made near Verona. The pine is shown in front of a clayey and gray-blue sky. The tree with its delicate branches, that are visible even to the crown, hangs to the right and is wantonly leafed. With fine brushwork, Spitzweg has depicted the various shades of the green leaves.

The study is mentioned in the catalogue raisonné by Siegfried Wichmann under no. 70, page 133. The lower center right bears the estate stamp, ‘S with rhombe/Spitzweg’. The paper has been laid down on pressboard. The work is in good overall condition with scattered, minor stains and a few color losses to the edges. The gilt wooden frame is in very good condition with minor wear. The overall dimensions, framed, are 31 x 35.5 cm. The paper measures 15 x 19.3 cm.

Carl Spitzweg (1808-1885)

Carl Spitzweg studied pharmacy, botany and chemistry at the University of Munich. Before he began teaching himself painting, he worked as a pharmacist until 1833. In 1835, he became a member of the Munich Kunstverein. This was followed by extensive travels through Europe. From 1844, he worked for the ‘Flying Papers’, which were fitted with his humorous drawings.

Spitzweg belongs to the late Romantic Movement. Whilst the early works still show the influence of the Biedermeier, the painting style loosened up in his later work, and came close to Impressionism. The artist’s keen sense of coloring derived possibly from his training in pharmacy.

In addition to landscapes, Spitzweg frequently depicted characters from the Biedermeier petty bourgeoisie, and satirical illustrations of quirky characters. Works by Carl Spitzweg achieve very high prices on the international auction market. They are on display in major collections, such as the Neue Pinakothek Munich, the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg, and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum in Cologne.

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