Skip to main content

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.

to
5
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
5
4
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
5
11,519
2,870
2,492
1,535
5
Artist: Louis Prang
19th century color lithograph butterflies flowers nature trees scene signed
19th century color lithograph butterflies flowers nature trees scene signed

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

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

Related Items
Little Boodge

David HockneyLittle Boodge, 1993

$2,069

H 11.03 in W 16.54 in

Little Boodge

By David Hockney

Located in London, GB

Offset lithograph on wove paper. Published in 1993. Copyright © David Hockney, verso.

Category

1990s Contemporary Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph, Offset

Scolopaceous Courlan: An Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph
Scolopaceous Courlan: An Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph

Scolopaceous Courlan: An Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph

By John James Audubon

Located in Alamo, CA

This is an original 19th century John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Scolopaceous Courlan", No. 63, Plate 312 from Audubon's "Birds of America, lithographed, printed...

Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

Night Heron Birds: An Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph
Night Heron Birds: An Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph

Night Heron Birds: An Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Bird Lithograph

By John James Audubon

Located in Alamo, CA

This is an original John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Yellow Crowned Night Heron, 1. Adult Male Spring Plumage, 2. Young in October", No. 73, Plate 364 from Audubo...

Category

Late 19th Century Naturalistic Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

1990
1990

Rebecca Warren1990, 2007

$3,000

H 16 in W 9 in D 3 in

1990

Located in New York, NY

Rebecca Warren 1990 2007 Lithographic print on MDF, with pom-pom, cotton thread, wood shaving, twig, and wood chip 16 x 9 x 3 inches; 41 x 23 x 8 cm Edi...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Louis Prang Art

Materials

Thread, Wood, Lithograph, Cotton, Mixed Media

Mustangs on the Run, American Western Art Lithograph by Noel Daggett
Mustangs on the Run, American Western Art Lithograph by Noel Daggett

Mustangs on the Run, American Western Art Lithograph by Noel Daggett

By Noel Daggett

Located in Long Island City, NY

Noel Daggett, American (1925 - 2005) - Mustangs on the Run, Year: circa 1979, Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 300, AP 40, Image Size: 19 x 23.5 inches...

Category

1970s American Realist Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

Vintage MOMA Francesco Clemente Museum of Modern Art 1986 dream myth poster
Vintage MOMA Francesco Clemente Museum of Modern Art 1986 dream myth poster

Vintage MOMA Francesco Clemente Museum of Modern Art 1986 dream myth poster

By Francesco Clemente

Located in New York, NY

This three-part work spanning 10 feet was printed from the plates of Francesco Clemente’s mythological landscape Untitled A on the occasion of the 1986 MoMA, New York show of Clement...

Category

1980s Surrealist Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph, Offset

Nora Othic, 'Charolais Bull', c. 2020, Lithograph, 17 of 25, Signed, Framed
Nora Othic, 'Charolais Bull', c. 2020, Lithograph, 17 of 25, Signed, Framed

Nora Othic, 'Charolais Bull', c. 2020, Lithograph, 17 of 25, Signed, Framed

By Nora Othic

Located in Columbia, MO

Nora Othic Marceline, Missouri Signed recto Nora Othic is a painter whose work draws from close observation of rural life and the rhythms of the Midwestern landscape. She is widely r...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

Bird and Beetle - Etching and watercolor (Natural History of Birds, 1741)
Bird and Beetle - Etching and watercolor (Natural History of Birds, 1741)

Bird and Beetle - Etching and watercolor (Natural History of Birds, 1741)

By George Edwards

Located in Paris, IDF

George EDWARDS Bird and beetle ('The Gowry Bird') Original engraving, enhanced with watercolor Printed signature in the plate Dated, 1741 28.8 x 23.3 cm Created for Volume I of the...

Category

1740s Academic Louis Prang Art

Materials

Engraving, Watercolor

Swans Woodblock by Hans Neumann, 1913
Swans Woodblock by Hans Neumann, 1913

Swans Woodblock by Hans Neumann, 1913

By Hans Neumann

Located in New York, NY

Hans Neumann (German, 1873 - 1957) Schwäne (Swans), 1913 Woodblock Sight: 17 x 11 in. Framed: 25 3/4 x 19 in. Signed & inscribed bottom, artist monogram lower left This outstanding ...

Category

1910s Academic Louis Prang Art

Materials

Woodcut

Last of the Strays, American Western Art Lithograph by Noel Daggett
Last of the Strays, American Western Art Lithograph by Noel Daggett

Last of the Strays, American Western Art Lithograph by Noel Daggett

By Noel Daggett

Located in Long Island City, NY

Noel Daggett, American (1925 - 2005) - Last of the Strays, Year: 1980, Medium: Lithograph, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: AP 40, Image Size: 20 x 26 inches, Size: 22.5 ...

Category

1980s American Realist Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

Swift Fox: An Original 19th Century Hand-colored Lithograph by John J. Audubon
Swift Fox: An Original 19th Century Hand-colored Lithograph by John J. Audubon

Swift Fox: An Original 19th Century Hand-colored Lithograph by John J. Audubon

By John James Audubon

Located in Alamo, CA

This is an original 19th century John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "Swift Fox", No. 11, Plate LII, from Audubon's "Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America", printed ...

Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Louis Prang Art

Materials

Lithograph

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

"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

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

"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

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

"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

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

"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

Lithograph

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.

Artists Similar to Louis Prang