Date: 1927
Size: 4.75 x 3.5 inches
Artist: Stephan Krotowski
This mini lithographic poster announces Wintergarten, a conservatory whose roof and glass walls keep its occupants warm through solar energy. Roda roda is a reference to Alexander Roda Roda (born Šandor Friedrich Rosenfeld, 1872-1945), an Austrian writer whose thick eyebrows, wide bushy mustache, and monocle clearly tie him to the figure in the advertisement.
It was designed by Stephan Krotowski, a Jewish fashion illustrator, poster artist, and bookcover designer who taught at the Reimann School in Berlin. Although very little is known about him, we do know that he was a colleague of Julius Klinger. Krotowski's portfolio brings to the fore incredibly dapper gentlemen dressed to the nines - the perfect artist to draw Roda Roda!