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Louis Prang Prints and Multiples

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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Artist: Louis Prang
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 Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

"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 Prints and Multiples

Materials

Cardboard, Lithograph

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 Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

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 Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

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 Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

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 Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

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By John Maxon
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: John Maxon (American, born 1947) Title: Dust Time Year: 1993 Medium: Color lithograph Edition: Numbered 146/210 Paper: Arches Image size: 26.5 x 39.75 inches Paper size: 31.5 x 44 inches Signature: Hand signed in pencil by the artist Condition: Excellent, has never been framed About the artist. Coming from a very western tradition in Wyoming, John Maxon developed an expansive view of nature . Moving eventually to the San Francisco Bay area, John's delight in the effects of light and color led him to the decision to become an artist at the young age of 15. His natural ability was encouraged, and at 16 he began figurative art classes with Howard Brodie, the artist well known for his WWII correspondence, drawings and the Watergate trial drawings. Education San Francisco Art Institute B.A., Painting, San Jose State University M.F.A., Painting, University of California, Davis Stanford University, Palo Alto, California Cabrillo College, Aptos, California Selected Solo Exhibitions 2018 Gallery Panza Verde – Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala 2015 Desert Art Collection - Palm Desert California 2015 Galeria Antigua – Antigua, Guatemala 2014 Galeria Panza Verde – Antigua, Guatemala 2008 Linda Durnell Gallery – Los Gatos, California 2006 Linda Durnell Gallery – Los Gatos, California 2005 Robert Allen Fine Art Gallery – Sausalito, California 2004 Ellis West Gallery – Durango, Colorado 2002 Ellis West Gallery – Durango, Colorado 2001 Robert Allen Fine Art Gallery – Sausalito, California 1997 Stanford University Faculty Club – Stanford, California Selected Group Exhibitions 2018 Chemers Art Gallery – Los Angeles, California 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017 & 2018 Robert Allen Fine Art – Sausalito, California 2017 Christopher Hill Gallery - St Helena, California 2013 / 19 Gallery North - Carmel, California 2015 Desert Art Collection - Palm Desert, California 2014 Paul Scott Gallery - Bend, Oregon 2014 Christopher Hill Gallery Healdsberg, California 2013 Firehouse Art Center - Pleasanton, Ca. 2013 2011 - 2013 Robert Allen Fine Art – Sausalito, California 2010 - 2012 Susan Street Gallery – Solano Beach, California 2010 (Awarded 1st place) and 2012 “Contemporary Landscape Painters of California” – Awarded 1st Place 2011 - 2012 Salisbury Fine Art – Avila Beach, California 2010 Bryant Street Gallery – Palo Alto, California 2009 Museum Art and History – Santa Cruz, California 2008 Cabrillo College – Aptos, California 2006 Christopher Hill Gallery – St. Helena, California 2005 Fort Lewis College – Durango, Colorado 2001 St. Supery Winery & Fine Art Gallery, Napa California 2001 Napa Valley Wine Auction – St. Helena, California 1997 West Coast Painting and Sculpture – Ocean Side, California 1997 Wolk Gallery – St. Helena, California Selected Museum Collections Interior Museum, Department of the Interior, Washington D. C. Santa Cruz County Art Museum – Santa Cruz, California University of California – Berkeley, California University of California – Davis, California Napa Valley Art...
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Haystack
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1930s American Modern Louis Prang Prints and Multiples

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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 Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

"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 Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

"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 Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

"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 Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

Louis Prang prints and multiples for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Louis Prang prints and multiples 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 prints and multiples, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Peter Moran, Lionel Edwards, and Popo and Ruby Lee. Louis Prang prints and multiples 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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