Artist Signed Postcards

POSTCARD ARTIST'S PROFILE: FRITZ SCHOENPFLUG (1873-1951)
Friedrich “Fritz” Schoenpflug was an Austrian caricaturist, illustrator, and poster artist. He was born in Vienna on June 15, 1873, to Heinrich Ludwig Franz Schoenpflug (B. 1845), a lawyer, and his wife, Pauline Mottl (b. 1846). After graduating from high school, Fritz studied art in Munich. As a young man, Schoenpflug married Leopoldine Fischer (b. 1847). In 1905, his career as a graphic artist was secured when he co-founded the men’s humor magazine Die Muskete (“The Rifle”). Fritz was known for his satirical images of Viennese military and civilian life, which appeared in magazines and on postcards published by Kohn Brothers (B.K.W.I) of Vienna.

Schoenpflug’s work featured predominantly in Die Muskete, as he was both its co-founder and artistic director. The Viennese caricaturist’s work also appeared in to other satirical humor magazines, including Figaro, Fliegende Blaetter (“Flying Leaves”), and London’s weekly publication The Sketch.
In 1906, the Viennese caricaturist became a member of the Wiener Kunstlerhaus (Vienna Artists’ House). In 1949, he was granted the title of Professor. The Kunstlerhaus was built in 1865-68 as a venue for art exhibitions and a meeting place for artists. It houses the Vienna Artists’ Society, which still exists today.

During WWI, Fritz served in Italy as an officer on the front line. When he returned to Vienna after the War, Schoenpflug continued working as a freelance commercial graphic artist. His work grew darker and more antisemitic following his service in the Army.

As a postcard artist, Fritz created templates for about 1000 postcards for Vienna’s leading publishers, Kohn Brothers (B.K.W.I. ) Schoepflug’s series of postcards of Viennese life and sport are still sought after today. His postcards and illustrations show a deep understanding and sympathy for the plight of urban and military horses. But there is also a cruel side to Schonpflug’s work. Fritz’s Wiener Typen (“Vienna Types”) series included Jewish stereotypes disguised as caricatures for “light entertainment.” Jewish residents of Vienna were represented with a subtle antisemitism that is repugnant today. Ironically, his postcards were produced by a publishing company owned by 3 Jewish brothers: Salomon, Adolf and Alfred Kohn.

Fritz Schoenpflug died at age 78 in Vienna, Austria on Feb 17, 1951. He is buried in Vienna’s Baumgartner cemetery, the final resting place for many of Vienna’s leading citizens.