Louis Prang & Co.
Father of American Christmas cards
Louis Prang was an American printer, lithographer, publisher, and Georgist. He is sometimes known as the "father of the American Christmas card". Prang was born in Breslau in Prussian Silesia. His father Jonas Louis Prang was a textile manufacturer and of French Huguenot origin; his mother, Rosina Silverman, was German. 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 series of popular album cards, advertised to be collected into scrapbooks, showing natural scenes and patriotic symbols. At Christmas 1873, Prang began creating greeting cards for the popular market in England and began selling the Christmas card in America in 1874. Prang is also known for his efforts to improve art education in the US, publishing instructional books and creating a foundation to train art teachers.
Artworks by this artist
- Bird with autumn foliage 1873
- 1. & 2. Chestnut-sided warbler. (1. Male, 2. Female). 3. Yellow warbler 1874
- Idols of our home. (Prattling primose) 1873
- Jesus blessing little children (Mark X;14-16) 1892
- Jesus cleansing the Temple (John II;15,16) 1892
- Quail or Bob-White. Ortyx virginianus bon. 1. Male. 2. Female 1874
- Roses 1870-1890
- Scarlet tanager. (1. Male; 2. Female) 1874
- Under the apple tree 1867
- Wreath no. 5 1874
- A Friend in Suspense ca. 1861-1897
- Half-length portrait of woman with a wreath of hops and barley, holding a glass of beer 1890
- Magnolia 1886
- Azaleas ca. 1861-1897
- The Death of Columbus 1893
- Woman’s Head Enframed with White Roses ca. 1891
- Woman’s Portrait Enframed with Yellow Roses ca. 1861-1897
- Prang’s American Chromos 1874
- 1. Snow bird. Junco hyemalis. 2. & 3. Snow buniting. Plectrophanes nivalis. 2. Summer dress. 3. Winter dress 1874
- Bird with Autumn Leaves ca. 1861-1897