The Book Worm 1850

Carl Spitzweg's "The Book Worm" (1850) depicts a man engrossed in a book, perched precariously on a stepladder amidst towering bookshelves. This humorous, detailed painting captures the joy and dedication of reading, a theme often explored in Spitzweg's work. The man's focus is on the book, creating a sense of solitude and complete absorption in the written word. This painting is a classic example of Biedermeier art, known for its depiction of simple, everyday life with a focus on domesticity and sentimentality.