No.52 - Penelope at the Loom by Max Klinger c.1895

This framed art print is a reproduction of an antique engraving, printed on heavyweight paper and set in a handmade vintage-style frame. Perfect for lovers of literary wall art, old world decor, or moody gallery walls.

Penelope at the Loom by Max Klinger (c.1895).
This is Penelope - wife of Odysseus, legendary weaver, queen of buying time. While her husband was off fighting monsters and taking the scenic route home from war, Penelope kept things under control by pretending to finish a funeral shroud she unraveled every night. For three years. Here, she’s at her loom, lost in thought and apparently weaving an entire encyclopedia of sea creatures, deer, birds, and possibly an elephant for dramatic flair. One hand on the reel, the other firmly on her patience. Homer’s epic may have been about Odysseus, but this painting makes it very clear: Penelope had main character energy the entire time. Klinger used a complex mix of etching, engraving, and aquatint, combined with color lithography from four tint stones to create the original artwork.

This small oil painting reproduction is printed on archival canvas and paired with a handcrafted frame cast in Hydrostone plaster, using a mold from a 19th-century antique. Finished in-studio to capture the texture and patina of a real vintage frame, it offers all the beauty of an heirloom – without having to inherit it. Available in aged gold or classic black, depending on your mood (or your wall).

Sized in our Small format, this piece fits perfectly on a book shelf, gallery wall, or any small space that deserves something with character and a bit of attitude. It arrives in a custom gift box that includes a removable art card from my curated collection of early 20th-century Swiss lithographed trading cards. On the back: a short message tied to the image - something between a fortune and a pep talk from the ghosts of a Swiss art collective. They’re collectible, slightly mysterious, and full of charm. Designs vary and yours will be chosen at random unless you request a specific one. See the last photo for the full collection. Inside the box, you’ll find a picture pin and an artist card with all the painting’s details.

11.25 x 8.25 inches (frame)
7 x4 inches (canvas)
Archival textured art paper
Light yet sturdy at 2 lbs
Fitted with hardware for hanging

This print is currently shown in our small frame, but it's also available in the mini frame. If you'd prefer the mini version, just message me and I’ll make it appear like magic (or at least pretty quickly).

Perfect gift for:
- fans of strategic procrastination with mythic flair
- book lovers who never finished The Odyssey (but still know Penelope was the real MVP)
- weavers, textile nerds, and fiber artists with a sense of humor
- anyone who’s ever delayed a big decision by becoming suddenly very invested in a craft project
- lovers of classical drama, emotional restraint, and loom-based defiance

SHIPPING:

For U.S. Orders - All of my work is handmade in Canada, which apparently makes it invisible to U.S. customs. Tariffs? Duties? Not here. Your order will sail across the border like a ghost through a locked door — no fees, no delay, no paperwork drama. Orders ship via Canada Post/USPS from Ontario with a transit time of 4 - 8 business days.

Canadian orders ship from Ontario via Canada Post with a transit time of 1 - 7 business days.

International orders ship via Canada Post with a transit time of 6 - 12 days.

As all items are made to order, photos shown are just examples.
Making a copy of the frame with the intention to sell it is strictly prohibited.

Crafted with U.S. and Canadian sourced materials to foster a cooperative alliance between neighbors who still build things worth keeping.