Louis Maurer

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Louis Maurer (February 21, 1832 – July 19, 1932) was a German-born American lithographer. Maurer was also the last surviving artist to have been employed by Currier & Ives.

Born in Biebrich, Germany, Maurer studied anatomy, mechanical drawing, and lithography in Mainz before migrating to the United States in 1851. He married Louisa Stein in 1860, and together they raised three children, Charles, Alfred, and Eugenia.

Maurer began working as a lithographer at the firm of T.W. Strong in 1852. Later the same year he moved to Currier & Ives, working there till 1860. Maurer's series The Life of a Fireman was a popular lithography series produced during his time with Currier & Ives.

During the American Civil War, Maurer worked as a shooting instructor in Palisades Park. He later headed the lithography firm Maurer & Heppenheimer until his retirement in 1884.

Maurer began to study art at the age of 50, first at the Gotham Art Academy and later at the National Academy under William Merritt Chase.

[edit] References

• Peter H. Falk (1985). Who Was Who in American Art. Sound View Press. ISBN 0-932087-00-0. 
• "Louis Maurer, 100, Oldest Artist, Dies", New York Times, July 20, 1932.