Peter Schumann
An Exhibition of Puppets and Masks

Peter Schumann founded The Bread and Puppet Theater in 1958, shortly after his arrival in the United States from Germany. A closely-knit core group of puppeteers and musicians who have performed extensively in New York, Europe, West Asia , and Africa, now live in Vermont. This group is augmented from time to time by old and new members as required by the nature of the work . . . Displayed were giant puppets from their recent work The Ballad of Masaniello, a 17th century Italian folk tale which concerns itself with a revolt led by the poor fisherman, Masaniello, against excessive taxation by the Spanish rulers of Naples. Among many others, the Queen of Spain, a huge Angel dressed in a tuxedo, a Skeleton of Death, the Madonna, and the oversized heads of the chorus, were suspended from the walls and ceiling which miniature paintings, woodcuts, posters, and the large banners from The Dance of Death covered the walls and floors.

Excerpted from Brentano, R., & Savitt, M. (1981). 112 Workshop, 112 Greene Street: History, artists & artworks. New York: New York University Press.