Carl Spitzweg (1808 Munich - 1885 ibid.) The Temptation Scenic depiction by moonlight. An old hermit monk sitting in front of his hermitage by a forest lake in a rocky gorge, reading a book. On the right-hand side of the picture, an unclothed mermaid emerges from the water as a personification of temptation, her body appearing brightly in the moonlight. To the left of the hermit are several vessels placed on a table, also illuminated by the moon. A cabinet painting created around 1865 as a study for a previously known, larger version, which Spitzweg himself briefly described in his own sales catalogue (under no. 423): "Tentation (eines Einsiedlers durch eine Nixe)" (Wichmann, Wvz.-Nr. 666, see lit.). In his oeuvre, Spitzweg not only often dealt with monks and hermits, but also with the theme of bathing nymphs and mermaids in a complex of works comprising over 20 paintings from around 1840, especially in the period from around 1860 to 1870 (Wichmann, nos. 650-673). In the present painting, Spitzweg, inspired by old depictions of the Temptation of St Anthony, was able to combine both motifs and at the same time masterfully depict highly effective lighting motifs. Spitzweg devoted himself exclusively to painting from 1835 onwards, became a member of the Munich Art Society and exhibited successfully from 1839 onwards. Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Prince Regent Luitpold were among his collectors. Initially still associated with the Biedermeier style, he first depicted the life of the Biedermeier bourgeoisie and oddball eccentrics. In his later works, the landscape became an increasingly important influence, particularly through his close friend Eduard Schleich the Elder, who is regarded as an important pioneer of open-air painting in Germany. Spitzweg travelled with him on numerous trips, including to Paris in 1851, where the Barbizon School made a great impression on both artists. A freer, more two-dimensional style of painting is also evident in this painting, in which Spitzweg was no longer concerned with the realistic depiction of details, but with the overall mood, which is heightened here by the light. Oil/wood panel. Two old labels verso with handwritten inscription "L 65 Spitzweg" and "(...) Mondlandschaft (...)". 18 cm x 11 cm. The original painting was presented to Detlef Rosenberger, Oberostendorf, in March 2025 and will be included by him in the digital catalogue raisonné of Spitzweg's paintings. Cf./Lit. (to other version): Günther Roennefahrt: "Carl Spitzweg. Beschreibendes Verzeichnis seiner Gemälde, Ölstudien und Aquarelle", Munich 1960, p. 265, no. 1166; Siegfried Wichmann: "Carl Spitzweg. Verzeichnis der Werke". Stuttgart 2002, p. 317, no. 666. Provenance: Neumeister, Munich, auction 206, 09/10 December 1981, cat. no. 1509; Neumeister, Munich, auction 415, 04 December 2024, cat. no. 405. Oil on panel. Inscribed on two old labels on the reverse.