Hatpin Ballad (Hutnadelballade) 1911

Moriz Jung created this print, "Hatpin Ballad," as a series of narrative panels, employing the woodcut technique. Note the hatpin—not merely a fastener, but a symbol of feminine assertion. Here, it transcends its practical function, becoming an emblem of self-defense and social commentary. These implements echo the attributes of classical goddesses, such as Athena's spear, repurposed into tools of modern feminine agency. The hatpin's evolution is fascinating. Once a mere accessory, it transformed into a debated object of female empowerment. Like the symbolic scepter, the hatpin, brandished as a weapon, questions conventional gender roles. This visual narrative becomes a mirror reflecting society's changing attitudes, capturing a powerful surge of female identity.