Schubert, the kaleidoscope and a draisine

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This is an aquarell by Schubert's friend Leopold Kupelwieser, for the journal of the 'Nonsense society' (Unsinnsgesellschaft) in Vienna, 16 July 1818.

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Schubert is seen peering into a kaleidoscope, and Kupelwieser has drawn himself riding the draisine, a forerunner of the bicycle. The kaleidoscope and the draisine were both very new at the time. Note that Schubert is shown holding a long stick. The stick appears to have been an 'in-joke' in the Unsinnsgesellschaft, a reference to Schubert being an assistant teacher at his father's school. 

Welcome to the new official website of the Schubert Institute UK!

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The Institute exists to widen the understanding and appreciation of one of the greatest composers of all time, Franz Peter Schubert (1797–1828). We are a mixed community of music scholars, amateur historians and devoted fans, and we aim to widen the interests of anyone who wants to find out more about Schubert, the world he lived in, and especially his wonderful music.

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Feel free to browse our pages to get more of an idea about what we have been doing, and what we intend to do in the future, and please consider joining us so that we can do yet more to promote Schubert’s great gifts to the world!

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Dr Clive McClelland

Chairman, Schubert Institute UK