Military Guards (Die Wachen) - Sophie Taeuber-Arp

A fine art print of Sophie Taeuber-Arp's geometric marionette, Military Guards, created in 1918 for the Dadaist production of King Stag.

Sophie Taeuber-Arp created this marionette as part of her contribution to the Dada movement in Zurich. The work belongs to a series of puppets designed for the play King Stag, which was adapted from a fairy tale by Carlo Gozzi. Taeuber-Arp approached the design of these figures with a focus on geometric abstraction, moving away from the traditional, naturalistic representation of theatrical characters.

The Military Guards figure consists of cylindrical and conical wooden components, painted in a muted palette of silver and soft violet. The construction relies on a system of wires and joints that allow for articulated movement, reflecting the artist's interest in the mechanics of performance. By reducing the human form to basic shapes, Taeuber-Arp created a visual language that prioritised form and rhythm over narrative realism. The figure possesses a rigid, mechanical quality, which aligns with the Dadaist critique of societal structures and the absurdity of military authority during the First World War.

This piece demonstrates the artist's ability to bridge the gap between fine art and functional design. Her work in textiles, interior design, and puppetry often shared this same commitment to geometric clarity. The marionettes were not merely props but autonomous sculptural objects that occupied space with a distinct presence. Through this work, Taeuber-Arp challenged the conventions of puppet theatre, transforming a traditional craft into a medium for avant-garde expression. The simplicity of the forms, combined with the precise arrangement of the limbs and the verticality of the suspension wires, creates a balanced composition that remains visually arresting. This print captures the sculptural volume and the specific material qualities of the original construction, offering a clear view of the artist's approach to form and balance.