Spitzweg, Carl Friedrich

Place: Unterpfaffenhofen

Born: 1808

Death: 1885

Biography:

Early Life and Training

, a renowned German romantic painter, was born in Unterpfaffenhofen, near Munich, Bavaria, on February 5, 1808. He was the second of three sons to Franziska (née Schmutzer) and Simon Spitzweg, a wealthy merchant who had Carl trained as a pharmacist.

Artistic Career

Spitzweg is considered one of the most important artists of the Biedermeier era, a period characterized by its focus on the domestic and the everyday. He was self-taught as an artist, starting out by copying the works of Flemish masters. His early contributions to satirical magazines marked the beginning of his artistic career.

Notable Works

Some of Spitzweg's most notable works include:

• The Bookworm (1850), a humorous genre work that showcases his ability to capture the essence of everyday life.
• The Hypochondriac (c. 1865, in the Neue Pinakothek, Munich), a painting that exemplifies his skill in depicting sharply characterized eccentrics.

Museums and Collections

Spitzweg's works can be found in various museums and collections, including:

• The Museum Collection Hugo Fischer (Bühl, Germany), a remarkable collection of artworks that showcases the evolution of German and European painting from the 19th to the early 20th century.
• Kunstsalon Franke Schenk (Germany), an art dealership and gallery located in Munich, Germany, which presents works of art from the 16th to the 20th centuries, with a focus on German artists.

Legacy

Spitzweg's paintings inspired the musical comedy Das kleine Hofkonzert by Edmund Nick. He is buried in the Alter Südfriedhof in Munich. View more of Carl Spitzweg's works on Wikioo.org: [https://Wikioo.org/@/Spitzweg, Carl Friedrich](https://Wikioo.org/@/spitzweg-carl-friedrich) Explore German art and its rich history on Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/german_art)