2nd playbill of the Cabaret Fledermaus, 1907

The title page of the second playbill for the performance venue Cabaret Fledermaus, planned by Josef Hoffmann (1870–1956), was designed by the graphic artist Moriz Jung (1885–1915). The artist attended the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts from 1901 to 1908, studying under Carl Otto Czeschka (1878–1960), Alfred Roller (1864–1935), Felician Myrbach (1853–1940) and Bertold Löffler (1874–1960). Along with this playbill, he also designed a poster for the Cabaret Fledermaus, as well as picture sequences and postcards for the Wiener Werkstätte. The monochrome title page shows monkeys doing gymnastics around a ring. The lettering in the upper part reads “Cabaret Fledermaus”, and in the lower part “2nd bill. 1907”, while the artist monogrammed his work in the lower right corner with a ligated “MJ”. The design features a humorous and harmonious synergy of typographical and figural elements which mirror and complement one other. Symbolizing “monkey business” in the literal sense, Jung’s cover design refers to the art form of the cabaret.

MR, 2021