Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
No: the object in Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller’s painting commonly called The Expected One is identified by art-agency CEO Gerald Weinpolter as a small prayer book, not an iPhone. The woman’s lowered gaze and two-handed grip make the object look familiar to modern viewers, but the resemblance is not evidence of time travel. Even the painting’s date is disputed in published accounts: one reports 1860 while noting that a gallery website may give 1850.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What is the painting, and when was it made?
The Expected One is commonly attributed in reporting to Austrian painter Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller. VICE describes it as an 1860 painting, but also says the gallery’s website may date it to 1850. Denison Forum and Univision likewise use 1860. Because the accounts do not settle the discrepancy against a directly consulted primary catalog record, the precise year should be treated as unresolved rather than certain. VICE; Denison Forum; Univision.
What is the woman holding?
Gerald Weinpolter, CEO of the art agency austrian-paintings.at, told VICE that the woman is “off to church holding a little prayer book in her hands,” not using an iPhone. Denison Forum describes the object as a religious tract, such as a hymn book, and Univision repeats Weinpolter’s explanation. These are reported interpretations; they do not amount to a cited museum-catalog identification.
#1 Best Overall
- Hard Pc Full-Cover Protection: Made From Durable Pc Material To Help Protect Your Phone From Daily Scratches Minor Drops And Wear
- Precise Fit & Easy Access Designed with accurate cutouts, this dual layer protective phone case allows easy access to buttons
- Thin and Lightweight Fit: the cases corresponding to the models are made to fit the corresponding phones, thin and lightweight and good use of feeling
- Gift: This phone case is very charming and cute fashion, no matter for women or men, or boys and girls are very appropriate
“The girl in this Waldmüller painting is not playing with her new iPhone X, but is off to church holding a little prayer book in her hands,” Weinpolter told VICE.
Why does it look like a smartphone?
The woman walks with her eyes angled down at a small object cradled in both hands. That posture is now strongly associated with looking at a phone, so viewers can read a familiar modern habit into a scene from the nineteenth century. The visual resemblance explains the viral claim; on its own, it cannot establish exactly what the object is.
Rank #2
- Craftsmanship and Material The back of the phone case is made of acrylic for better drop resistance, while the sides are made of TPU soft gel, which offers a more comfortable grip and easier removal.
- Lightweight Painted Pattern Adds Only 0.3mm to the Thickness thickness while perfectly presenting the colors and details of the printed pattern. It allows the phone to stay protected while showcasing a unique personal style.
- All-Round Protection Details Raised lens bezel + screen-edged design (higher than the screen) fully guards the phone's vulnerable parts and reduces accidental scratches.
- Easy to Use & Stain-Resistant Material The smooth surface resists fingerprints; cleaning only requires wiping with a soft cloth, making it suitable for fast-paced lifestyles.
- The Ultimate Accessory! Your phone goes with you everywhere – and you want a chic phone cover that looks cute with every outfit. Our exclusive designs are crafted out of Scratch-Resistant material to keep your cases looking fresh, glossy & new, featuring custom, quality-grade HD prints that will never fade or peel away. With its comfy, never-slippery grip, you’ll love showing off this fierce case! Choose from our many designs – grab your favorites to match every look you rock!
Peter Russell, whose observation helped renew attention to the image, described the shift in how people read it: “What strikes me most is how much a change in technology has changed the interpretation of the painting, and in a way has leveraged its entire context,” he told VICE. The point is about changing interpretation, not proof that a modern device appears in the painting.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsDoes the original painting show a glowing phone?
No such glow is established in the original. VICE reports that an altered version circulating on Pinterest added a cone of light to the supposed phone. That edit should not be mistaken for a detail painted by Waldmüller.
Rank #3
- Hard Pc Full-Cover Protection: Made From Durable Pc Material To Help Protect Your Phone From Daily Scratches Minor Drops And Wear
- Precise Fit & Easy Access Designed with accurate cutouts, this dual layer protective phone case allows easy access to buttons
- Thin and Lightweight Fit: the cases corresponding to the models are made to fit the corresponding phones, thin and lightweight and good use of feeling
- Gift: This phone case is very charming and cute fashion, no matter for women or men, or boys and girls are very appropriate
Is this evidence that time travel is real?
No. The cited accounts offer no evidence that the painting depicts a time traveler or an anachronistic phone. A prayer book, viewed in a posture that resembles phone use, is the ordinary explanation reported by the sources. Univision notes that the first iPhone launched in 2007, long after either proposed painting date; that comparison makes the mismatch in the viral claim clear but does not resolve the artwork’s exact date.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Compatible Model】This girly case is only compatible with iPhone 12/ iPhone 12 Pro (6.1" Inch). not compatible with other iPhone model, please check your Phone model carefully before buying.
- 【Stylish Design】This adorable phone case features a chic leopard print pattern, ensuring your device stands out in any crowd. More than just an accessory, it's a conversation starter that turns heads and earns compliments wherever you go.
- 【Premium Material】Crafted from high-quality, flexible TPU with a special matte finish, this iPhone case offers a comfortable grip while effectively resisting fingerprints, oil, and everyday smudges
- 【360° Full Protection】The soft yet rugged skin effectively absorbs impact from drops and shocks, while the raised edges around the screen and camera lens help guard against scratches and daily wear.
- 【Perfect Fit】Designed to hug your phone like a glove, this case offers a snug yet flexible fit without adding bulk. All ports, buttons, cameras, and speakers remain fully accessible and accurately aligned.
Rank #4
- Hard Pc Full-Cover Protection: Made From Durable Pc Material To Help Protect Your Phone From Daily Scratches Minor Drops And Wear
- Precise Fit & Easy Access Designed with accurate cutouts, this dual layer protective phone case allows easy access to buttons
- Thin and Lightweight Fit: the cases corresponding to the models are made to fit the corresponding phones, thin and lightweight and good use of feeling
- Gift: This phone case is very charming and cute fashion, no matter for women or men, or boys and girls are very appropriate
What the image can—and cannot—tell us
- Supported by the reporting: the work is commonly called The Expected One and attributed to Waldmüller, and Weinpolter identifies the object as a small prayer book.
- Why the claim caught on: the woman’s lowered gaze and two-handed hold resemble contemporary smartphone use.
- Still uncertain: published accounts disagree between 1850 and 1860, and the precise year is not settled here.
- Not shown by the evidence: a confirmed iPhone, a phone-screen glow in the original, or time travel.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
