The artwork entitled “Kiepenkerl” was created by artist Jeff Koons in 1987. Crafted from steel, this sculpture is a notable example of Neo-Pop Art, a movement that emerged as a postmodern response to the earlier Pop Art era, characterized by the reimagining of commercial and popular imagery using irony and pastiche. As a genre, the sculpture stands out for its three-dimensional form and the way in which it occupies physical space.
“Kiepenkerl” presents a life-size figure that harks back to a traditional German itinerant merchant known as a Kiepenkerl, who would travel selling goods from a backpack or peddler’s basket. This historical figure is commonly associated with the Westphalia region. In Koons’ rendition, the merchant stands upright and is attired in a long coat and boots, with a hat perched atop his head. He clutches a walking stick with one hand while the other grasps a pipe. At his feet, a woven basket complementing his vendor’s backpack suggests readiness for trade or travel. The steel material, which shines with a reflective surface, plays with the perception of space and reality, while also lending the figure a contemporary twist that resonates with the artist’s interpretation of modern culture and commerce. This contrast between the old and new, traditional imagery and modern materials, perfectly encapsulates the Neo-Pop Art movement’s blend of historical references with modern aesthetics.