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Louis Prang Art

American, 1824-1909

Born on March 12, 1824, Louis Prang was a famous printer, lithographer, publisher and Georgist. His early activities in the U.S. — publishing architectural books and making leather goods — were not very successful, and he began to make wood engravings for illustrations in books. In 1851, he worked for Frank Leslie, art director for Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion, and later with John Andrew. In 1851, he married Rosa Gerber, a Swiss woman he had met in Paris in 1846. In 1856, Prang and a partner created a firm, Prang and Mayer, to produce lithographs. The company specialized in prints of buildings and towns in Massachusetts. In 1860, he bought the share of his partner, creating L. Prang and Company, and began work in colored printing of advertising and other forms of business materials. The firm became quite successful and became known for war maps, printed during the American Civil War and distributed by newspapers. In 1864, Prang went to Europe to learn about cutting-edge German lithography. Returning the next year, Prang began to create high quality reproductions of major art works. Prang also began creating a series of popular album cards, advertised to be collected into scrapbooks, showing natural scenes and patriotic symbols. 

On Christmas in 1873, Prang began creating greeting cards for the popular market in England and began selling the Christmas card in America in 1874. Therefore, he is sometimes called the "father of the American Christmas card." Prang is also known for his efforts to improve art education in the U.S., publishing instructional books and creating a foundation to train art teachers. Prang was an active supporter of women artists, both commissioning and collecting artworks by women. Many of his lithographs featured works by female artists, such as the botanical illustration of Ellen Thayer Fisher. In 1881, his company employed more than 100 women. In June 1886, Prang published a series of prints under the title Prang's War Pictures: Aquarelle Facsimile Prints. These became popular and helped inspire a genre of such prints, particularly the series issued by Kurz and Allison. However, Prang aimed at a more modern and individual treatment, as opposed to the panoramic style of Kurz and Allison, and before them, Currier and Ives. In 1897, L. Prang and Company merged with another firm, creating the Taber-Prang Company and moved to Springfield, Massachusetts. Prang died in Los Angeles on vacation in 1909.

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"Under the Apple Tree", Figurative Chromolithograph after George Niles, 188/250
By Louis Prang
Located in Soquel, CA
Original chromolithograph by Louis Prang (German/American, 1823-1909) of L. Prang & Co. (American, founded 1860), after "Under the Apple Tree" by George E. Niles (American, 1837-1898). This late 19th century figurative chromolithograph depicts a small boy in a country setting and period dress under an apple tree, reaching into a barrel with a basket of apples spilling into the grass. A German style chromolithograph, this limited edition 188/250 print was created with heavy, oil-based inks which were applied in several layers to impart a texture similar to an original oil painting. Signed and dated in the plate "G.E. Niles 1867". Tag on verso with "Prang's American Chromos - Under the Apple Tree, after Niles - Chromolithographed and published by L. Prang & Co. ...Boston". Displayed in a rustic giltwood beveled frame. Image size: 9"H x 7.25"W. Louis Prang was a foremost lithographer and publisher in New York City from the mid to the end of the 19th Century. Born in Breslau, Germany to a father who was a calico printer, he was an apprentice to his father during his teen-age years and then spent five years as a journeyman, learning printing and dyeing and living in Austria, France and England. However, Prang's liberal political vliews caused him to be deported by the Prussian government during the Revolution of 1848, and fled via Bohemia and Switzerland to get to America. In 1850, Prang went to Boston, having stopped briefly in New York City, and became a publisher and taught himself wood engraving. In 1856, he turned to lithography in partnership with Julius Mayer. In 1860, he founded Louis Prang and Co., which was his own company and the first stiff competition to Currier and Ives. A primary reason for this competition was Prang's active imagination and energetic pursuit of his business. During the Civil War, he published maps and battle plans so that people at home could follow military movements. He also created printed card portraits of Union soldiers...
Category

Late 19th Century American Impressionist Louis Prang Art

Materials

Cardboard, Lithograph

"Under the Apple Tree", Figurative Chromolithograph after George Niles, 188/250
"Under the Apple Tree", Figurative Chromolithograph after George Niles, 188/250

Louis Prang
"Under the Apple Tree", Figurative Chromolithograph after George Niles, 188/250, Late 19th Century

$395
19th century color lithograph butterflies flowers nature trees scene signed
By Louis Prang
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Erycinids" is an original color lithograph by Louis Prang. It depicts colorful butterflies around a variety of flowers. 5" x 8" art 16 1/2" x 19" framed Louis Prang was an American printer, lithographer, and publisher. He is sometimes known as the father of the American Christmas card. He created L. Prang and Company in 1860 and became successful and known for their Civil War maps...
Category

Late 19th Century American Realist Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

19th century color lithograph butterflies flowers nature trees scene signed
19th century color lithograph butterflies flowers nature trees scene signed

Louis Prang
19th century color lithograph butterflies flowers nature trees scene signed, 1885

$1,815
19th century color lithograph beetles nature forest tree leaves animal signed
By Louis Prang
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Stag Beetle & Longicorn Beetle" is an original color lithograph by Louis Prang. It depicts two forest-dwelling beetles. The artist signed the piece in the stone lower left. It was published by Selmar Hess in New York. 8" x 5" art 19 3/8" x 16" framed Louis Prang (March 12, 1824 – September 14, 1909) was an American printer, lithographer, publisher, and Georgist. He is sometimes known as the "father of the American Christmas card". Prang's early activities in the US publishing architectural books and making leather goods were not very successful, and he began to make wood engravings for illustrations in books. In 1851 he worked for Frank Leslie, art director for Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion, and later with John Andrew. In 1851, he married Rosa Gerber, a Swiss woman he had met in Paris in 1846. In 1856, Prang and a partner created a firm, Prang and Mayer, to produce lithographs. The company specialized in prints of buildings...
Category

1880s Academic Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

19th century color lithograph beetles nature forest tree leaves animal signed
19th century color lithograph beetles nature forest tree leaves animal signed

Louis Prang
19th century color lithograph beetles nature forest tree leaves animal signed, 1885

$1,300
19th century color lithograph birds nature tree leaves nature scene signed
By Louis Prang
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Weaver Birds" is an original color lithograph by Louis Prang. It depicts multiple weaver birds with leaves surrounding them. 8 1/4" x 5" image 12 1/2" x...
Category

Late 19th Century American Realist Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

19th century color lithograph birds nature tree leaves nature scene signed
19th century color lithograph birds nature tree leaves nature scene signed

Louis Prang
19th century color lithograph birds nature tree leaves nature scene signed, 1885

$1,300
19th century color lithograph birds nature tree flowers animals forest signed
By Louis Prang
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Resplendent Trogon" is an original color lithograph by Louis Prang. It depicts two large trogon birds in a lush jungle with various flora and fauna surroundin...
Category

Late 19th Century American Realist Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

19th century color lithograph birds nature tree flowers animals forest signed
19th century color lithograph birds nature tree flowers animals forest signed

Louis Prang
19th century color lithograph birds nature tree flowers animals forest signed, 1885

$1,300
19th century color lithograph rhinoceros trees nature forest animals signed
By Louis Prang
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Rhinoceros" is an original color chromolithograph by Louis Prang. It depicts two rhinos in a lush jungle forest. 7 1/2" x 5" art 12 1/2" x 9 1/4" paper 18 3/8" x 15 1/2" frame Lo...
Category

1880s Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

19th century color lithograph rhinoceros trees nature forest animals signed
19th century color lithograph rhinoceros trees nature forest animals signed

Louis Prang
19th century color lithograph rhinoceros trees nature forest animals signed, 1885

$1,300
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Previously Available Items
"Cicadae, Lantern Fly, Etc., " original color lithograph by Louis Prang
By Louis Prang
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Cicadae, Lantern Fly, Etc." is an original color lithograph by Louis Prang. It depicts exotic flowers, plants, and insects. The artist signed the piece in the stone lower right. It was published by Selmar Hess in New York. 8 1/8" x 5" art 19 1/2" x 16" framed Louis Prang (March 12, 1824 – September 14, 1909) was an American printer, lithographer, publisher, and Georgist. He is sometimes known as the "father of the American Christmas card". Prang's early activities in the US publishing architectural books and making leather goods were not very successful, and he began to make wood engravings for illustrations in books. In 1851 he worked for Frank Leslie, art director for Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion, and later with John Andrew. In 1851, he married Rosa Gerber, a Swiss woman he had met in Paris in 1846. In 1856, Prang and a partner created a firm, Prang and Mayer, to produce lithographs. The company specialized in prints of buildings...
Category

1880s Academic Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Cicadae, Lantern Fly, Etc., " original color lithograph by Louis Prang
"Cicadae, Lantern Fly, Etc., " original color lithograph by Louis Prang

Louis Prang
"Cicadae, Lantern Fly, Etc., " original color lithograph by Louis Prang, 1885

H 19.5 in W 16 in
"Hermit-Crabs, " Original Color Lithograph Seafloor Print by Louis Prang
By Louis Prang
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Hermit Crabs" is an original color lithograph by Louis Prang. It depicts some underwater sea creatures. The artist signed the piece in the stone lower right. It was published by Selmar Hess in New York. 9 1/8" x 5" art 19 1/2" x 16" framed Louis Prang (March 12, 1824 – September 14, 1909) was an American printer, lithographer, publisher, and Georgist. He is sometimes known as the "father of the American Christmas card". Prang's early activities in the US publishing architectural books and making leather goods were not very successful, and he began to make wood engravings for illustrations in books. In 1851 he worked for Frank Leslie, art director for Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion, and later with John Andrew. In 1851, he married Rosa Gerber, a Swiss woman he had met in Paris in 1846. In 1856, Prang and a partner created a firm, Prang and Mayer, to produce lithographs. The company specialized in prints of buildings...
Category

1880s Academic Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Hermit-Crabs, " Original Color Lithograph Seafloor Print by Louis Prang
"Hermit-Crabs, " Original Color Lithograph Seafloor Print by Louis Prang

Louis Prang
"Hermit-Crabs, " Original Color Lithograph Seafloor Print by Louis Prang, 1885

H 19.5 in W 16 in
"Holothurians and Sea Star, " Original Color Lithograph by Louis Prang
By Louis Prang
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Holothurians and Sea Star" is an original color lithograph by Louis Prang. It depicts some underwater sea creatures. The artist signed the piece in the stone lower left. It was published by Selmar Hess in New York. 7 3/4" x 5" art 19 3/8" x 16" framed Louis Prang (March 12, 1824 – September 14, 1909) was an American printer, lithographer, publisher, and Georgist. He is sometimes known as the "father of the American Christmas card". Prang's early activities in the US publishing architectural books and making leather goods were not very successful, and he began to make wood engravings for illustrations in books. In 1851 he worked for Frank Leslie, art director for Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion, and later with John Andrew. In 1851, he married Rosa Gerber, a Swiss woman he had met in Paris in 1846. In 1856, Prang and a partner created a firm, Prang and Mayer, to produce lithographs. The company specialized in prints of buildings...
Category

1880s Academic Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Holothurians and Sea Star, " Original Color Lithograph by Louis Prang
"Holothurians and Sea Star, " Original Color Lithograph by Louis Prang

Louis Prang
"Holothurians and Sea Star, " Original Color Lithograph by Louis Prang, 1885

H 19.375 in W 16 in
"Puma, " an Original Color Chromolithograph by Louis Prang
By Louis Prang
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Puma" is an original color lithograph by Louis Prang. It depicts two large puma in a lush jungle with various flora and fauna surrounding them. 7 7/8" x 5" art 12 5/8" x 9 3/8" pa...
Category

Late 19th Century American Realist Louis Prang Art

Materials

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"Puma, " an Original Color Chromolithograph by Louis Prang
"Puma, " an Original Color Chromolithograph by Louis Prang

Louis Prang
"Puma, " an Original Color Chromolithograph by Louis Prang, 1885

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Louis Prang art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Louis Prang art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Louis Prang in lithograph, board, cardboard and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 19th century and is mostly associated with the Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Louis Prang art, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Peter Moran, Stephen Parrish, and Neil Welliver. Louis Prang art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $1,300, while the average work can sell for $1,300.

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