Sepp and Kathi Steidler, Popular House Comedians 1907

Moriz Jung made this print of Sepp and Kathi Steidler, Popular House Comedians, using woodcut and bold colours. The black and yellow are so graphic, really emphasising the process and the materials in such a bold way. I love how the woodcut emphasises the physical textures of the materials. The bold lines create these strong shapes, like the swirly border that traps the image within. This is also true of the repeating waves on the floor, which suggest movement and sound. The couple, squeezed into the corner, are a joyous pair, the man playing the accordion, Kathi beside him. They could be any entertainers, the barrel in front laden with refreshments. The print feels reminiscent of work by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, who had a similar way of creating images with a sense of humour and play. It’s a reminder of the playful side of modernism, and how images can bring joy to the world.