Carl Spitzweg

Acquired by the present owner circa 1995

Günther Roennefahrt, Carl Spitzweg. Beschreibendes Verzeichnis seiner Gemälde, Ölstudien und Aquarelle, Munich, 1960, p. 273 , no. 1235
Siegfried Wichmann, 'Carl Spitzweg, Der geistliche Schlaftrunk. Dokumentation', Reihe für vergleichende und angewandte Kunstgeschichte, Starnberg-Munich, 1988/89, pp. 32-39 (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München, Inv.-Nr. Ana 656 SW34)
Siegfried Wichmann, Carl Spitzweg, 'Der eingeschlafene Einsiedler, Dokumentation', Reihe für vergleichende und angewandte Kunstgeschichte, Starnberg-Munich, 1988, p. 12ff (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München, Inv.-Nr. Ana 656 SW105)
Siegfried Wichmann, Carl Spitzweg.  Verzeichnis der Werke, Stuttgart, 2002, pp. 164-66, no. 197, illustrated in colour and catalogued

The panel is in good condition. There is little visible retouching (potentially along the edges of the panel) visible under ultraviolet light, obscured by a varnish. Apart from some craquelure and slight paint separation scattered overall, a spot of paint loss to the lower left corner, and a discoloured varnish throughout, the work is in good overall condition, with fine detail. Held in a decorative, gold-painted moulded plaster and wood 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 stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes '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 1845, Der eingeschlafene Einsiedler typifies Spitzweg's gently mocking pictures of the Sonderlinge (odd men out) who inhabit his pictorial world. Like his bookworms, gardeners, astrologers, and soldiers, the hermit, in his set ways, becomes the subject of Spitzweg's satiric brush. Hardly leading a busy life, our protagonist enjoys a well-earned nap. The setting itself abounds with humour, the canopy and rock face behind forming the profile of a yawning face. 

Through his humour, Spitzweg satirises the very genre of Romantic painting itself. Compositionally, Der eingeschlafene Einsiedler has many of the hallmarks of the Romantic picture, the wide open expanse and distant (even invisible) horizon an invitation to the viewer to immerse himself in a contemplation of nature and man's position in it. Only here, such sublime thoughts are upset by the sleepy hermit, too lazy or distracted even to look after his pot plants resting on the ledge before him.