Kasperl Theater 1907

Hans Kalmsteiner made this print of a puppet show, called Kasperl Theater, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. Kasperltheater is a traditional Austrian puppet show. Here we see the famous clown-like character, Kasperl, axe raised, as he attacks another puppet. The scene is framed by geometric patterns. It’s reminiscent of the decorative folk art, or volkskunst, that was popular at the time in Austria. Kalmsteiner was interested in scenes of everyday life. What does this image tell us about the culture of Austria at the time? Puppetry provided entertainment and was also a way to explore social issues. It was not uncommon for puppet shows to satirize political figures. This helps us consider what role art plays in shaping and reflecting social values. Historical research into popular entertainment and folk art practices of the period might reveal more about the social context of this print.