Hand Puppet - Chinaman c. 1936

This painting of a hand puppet was made by Joseph Shapiro, though we don't know exactly when. The bold brushstrokes of black paint form a robe-like shape, contrasted against the neutral background, creating a theatrical presence on the canvas. I can't help but wonder what Shapiro was thinking as he painted, his brush dancing across the surface. Did he see the puppet as a character in a play, a symbol of something greater, or was he just interested in the way the light fell on its face? The eyes are quite striking, aren't they? It's not a portrait of an individual but a representation of a type, and it raises questions about how we see each other, and the stories we tell about ourselves and others. There's something timeless about this image. Shapiro's work, like that of so many artists, echoes across time, engaging in a conversation with the art of the past and inspiring the art of the future.