Karl Elleder

Karl Elleder (born June 15, 1860, in Korneuburg; died January 8, 1941, in Gars am Kamp) was an Austrian caricaturist and illustrator known for his work in German and Austrian newspapers and magazines. He illustrated calendars, children’s books, and fairy tales and began publishing his own literary texts in 1910. Primarily working as a customs officer, Elleder was a self-taught artist, developing his skills in Krems and Vienna. He illustrated notable works such as Hofrat Oskar Teuber’s Cadettengeschichten and the humorous Lachcabinett, which Carl Michael Ziehrer performed for the Viennese court. Elleder became a sought-after illustrator for popular humor magazines, including Fliegende Blätter, Meggendorfer Blätter, Die Muskete, Mocca, and Faun. The Österreichische Illustrierte Zeitung in 1911 recognized his unique style among “Viennese caricaturists,” highlighting his apolitical satire that was particularly enjoyed in family and children’s magazines.

Elleder’s close friends included Viennese painter Carl Zewy, who collaborated with Fritz Lang, Elleder’s neighbor in Gars and later a prominent film director. In 1905, Elleder married Theresia Grasser, becoming the son-in-law of Austrian arms manufacturer Carl Grasser. Large portions of Elleder’s artistic and literary estate were acquired by artist Bernhard Oberdieck, whose collection, along with the research of literary scholar Andreas Weigel and contributions by the “Zeitbrücke-Museum” in Gars, has been instrumental in reviving public interest in Elleder’s work.