Carl Spitzweg

Sale: Helbing, Munich, 30 June 1909, lot 143
Private Collection, Germany
A wedding present to the parents of the present owner in 1965

Alois Elsen, Carl Spitzweg, Vienna, 1948, p. 115, catalogued; pl. 27 & 28, illustrated (with correct medium but incorrect dimensions)
Günther Roennefahrt, Carl Spitzweg, Beschreibendes Verzeichnis seiner Gemälde, Ölstudien und Aquarelle, Munich, 1960, p. 63, illustrated; p. 204, no. 675, catalogued and illustrated (with incorrect medium and measurements)
Eugen Kalkschmidt, Carl Spitzweg und seine Welt, Munich, 1966, p. 93, mentioned; fig. 63, illustrated
Siegfried Wichmann, 'Orientdarstellungen im Werk von Carl Spitzweg', Reihe für vergleichende und angewandte Kunstgeschichte, Starnberg-Munich, 1975 (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München, Inv.-Nr. Ana 656 SW 92)
Siegfried Wichmann, Spitzweg, Munich, 1976, p. 22, illustrated
Siegfried Wichmann, Carl Spitzweg: Verzeichnis der Werke, Stuttgart, 2002, p. 243, no. 432, illustrated (with incorrect medium and measurements)

Original canvas. UV light reveals some retouchings, notably in the dark pigments of his gown, in the leaning wooden planks in the lower right, in the dark shadows beneath the arch, and some thin lines addressing craquelure in the lady carrying the jug. Apart from some horizontal hairline craquelure, overall this work is in good 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."

Painted circa 1868, this painting belongs to Spitzweg's rare Orientalist works, inspired by the model souks and bazaars he saw at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. He never actually travelled to the Middle East himself. For an illustation of the preparatory oil sketch for this painting, in a German private collection, see Siegfried Wichmann, Spitzweg, exh. cat., Munich, 1985, p. 220.