Hans Günter Ludwig: Silhouette

The Bamberg graphic artist Hans Günter Ludwig tells the prologue of the bitter struggle between the nutcracker and the mouse king in a figure-rich silhouette.
In order to rescue the enchanted Princess Pirlipat, a young man has to crack the extremely tough nut Krakatuk. After many had already bitten their teeth in vain, the miracle was accomplished by the nephew of the Supreme Court Councilor Droßelmeier. The royal court dances joyfully over it. In order to remove the curse completely, the nephew has to take seven steps backwards without stumbling. However, in doing so he accidentally steps on the Mouse Queen. As revenge, she turns him into a nutcracker before she dies of the injury.
In order to regain his former shape, the Nutcracker must defeat the seven-headed Mouse King in battle and win the love of a young girl. Marie fulfills this condition.