A jester’s cap for a roof and a façade with a friendly face humorously greet you at the museum entrance. Even the exterior architecture reflects what awaits you inside the Karikaturmuseum Krems: art and humor at its finest.

None other than Gustav Peichl was responsible for the architectural design of Austria’s only museum for political cartoons, humorous drawings, comics and historical caricatures. As an architect, Peichl is known for designing six studios for ORF and, in Germany, for the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn. Under the pseudonym IRONIMUS, he drew caricatures for Die Presse, the Süddeutsche Zeitung, and the ORF.

The Karikaturmuseum Krems is the only museum in Austria dedicated to caricatures, cartoons, comics and pictorial satire, with exhibition space spanning 780 square meters. Two barrier-free accessible levels invite you into a cosmos of art and humor with rotating special exhibitions.

The museum foyer, flooded with light and filled with art, offers you a stimulating preview of what awaits in the adjoining exhibition spaces. In addition to rotating special exhibitions, you are presented on the ground floor with the unique opportunity to view the work of Manfred Deix up close. On display in the in-house Deix archive are over fifty annotated and curated original works by the enfant terrible of the caricature scene. The selection of works changes every year. 

Manfred Deix for your ears—give it a try! In our digital archive, you can listen to exciting stories about the life and work of the Austrian cartoonist delivered with Deix’s wit.

Our spaciously designed museum shop on the ground floor invites you to browse and shop. Whether you’re a family, a fan of caricature, or looking for an original gift: there is something for every shopping taste.

The glass opening in the ceiling offers a view of the upper floor. A circular staircase—in the shape of a snail’s shell—leads to the upper floor and over 530 square meters of exhibition space. The second largest exhibition space is dedicated to families.

The distinctive roof construction resembles the typical headgear of a jester, the so-called jester’s cap. The eleven variously sized points also allude to the gables of the old town of Stein, bordering directly on the Krems Art Mile.

On the go—give it a try! In just a few minutes you can walk from the Krems Art Mile to the vineyards. Peer down from a hilltop onto the former port town of Krems-Stein and discover the jagged roof landscape of the old buildings. 

Humor, wit, and satire greet you just a few steps away from the museum. Two prominent figures by Manfred Deix smile at you in front of the museum: Mr. and Mrs. Austrian! Well-nourished and laughing with open mouths, the two bronze figures represent the average Austrian and are found in numerous works by the outstanding artist Deix. Incidentally, Mr. and Mrs. Austrian are Manfred Deix’s only public artworks.

Smile please – give it a try! Mr. and Mrs. Austrian are a popular selfie motif. Post your snapshot with the Deix characters on social media and link to the Karikaturmuseum Krems. We’ll be happy to share your impressions of your visit to the museum. 

Discover our current exhibitions here!