Variety Act 1: Maxi the Ichthyosaurus Turned Man (Varietenummer 1: Maxi der Mensch Gewor Dene Ichthyosaurus)
Medium
Color lithograph
Dimensions
Sheet: 5 1/2 × 3 9/16 in. (14 × 9 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Museum Accession, transferred from the Library
Accession Number
WW.88
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of early 20th-century Vienna, *Variety Act 1: Maxi the Ichthyosaurus Turned Man* (1907) captures the whimsical spirit of cabaret and variety shows. Created by Moriz Jung as part of the Wiener Werkst—a pioneering collective blending fine art with decorative design—this color lithograph depicts a fantastical ichthyosaurus, an ancient marine reptile, transformed into a tipsy humanoid figure. The title evokes the playful, satirical performances popular in Viennese theaters, where myth and modernity collided for humorous effect. Printed in a compact 5½ × 3⅝ inches, this lithog...
About the Artist
Moriz Jung|Wiener Werkstätte · 1885–1915
Austrian (born Czechoslovakia) Moravia 1885–1915 Manilowa (Carpathians)|