Love and Alcohol (Liebe und Alkohol)

Art Historical Context

Created in 1911 by Moriz Jung for the Wiener Werkstätte, *Love and Alcohol* is a vibrant color lithograph that captures the playful yet pointed spirit of early twentieth-century Viennese design. Measuring just 5½ by 3⅝ inches, this small sheet was likely produced as a postcard or collectible print, reflecting the Wiener Werkstätte’s mission to bring high-quality, modern art into everyday life through accessible graphic works. The image uses bold color and lively caricature to explore themes of romance, intoxication, and human folly. With its cast of men, women, and mice, the print offers a lighthearted satire on the fears and absurdities that can accompany love and drinking. Lithography allowed Jung to achieve crisp lines and saturated hues, making the humorous scene both visually striking and widely distributable. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s collection of prints, the work exemplifies how the Wiener Werkstätte fused fine art with commercial design, influencing the broader trajectory of twentieth-century graphic art. Its witty commentary on timeless social behaviors continues to charm viewers today.

About the Artist

Moriz Jung|Wiener Werkstätte · 1885–1915

Austrian (born Czechoslovakia) Moravia 1885–1915 Manilowa (Carpathians)|