Kasperltheater 1907

Hans Kalmsteiner's 1907 woodcut "Kasperltheater" depicts a playful scene of three figures, likely puppets, performing for an audience. The composition is simple, yet engaging, with bold colors and simplified forms. The artwork's title refers to the traditional Austrian puppet theater, and the figure in the foreground holds a trumpet, implying a musical performance. Kalmsteiner, a prominent Austrian artist, was known for his colorful and whimsical illustrations, often referencing popular culture. This piece, held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies his distinctive style and captures the lighthearted spirit of the "Kasperltheater" tradition.