Bandbox Paper c. 1937

Martin Partyka made this striking paper bandbox sometime between 1855 and 1995, using, it seems, a stencil technique. The colors are laid down in simple blocks, and it's all about building up an image through layers. What grabs me is the pink – unexpected, right? – winding through the scene, giving the trees and snake an otherworldly feel. The texture looks smooth, the paint evenly applied, like Partyka wanted to create a seamless surface, drawing us into this wild, imagined world. That pink snake, all curves and coils, dominates the foreground, its presence almost comical against the backdrop of palm trees and blue sky. It gives me a little jolt of pleasure, like a kid sneaking candy. This piece reminds me of Henri Rousseau's jungle scenes, both artists creating lush, fantastical landscapes from their imaginations. There's a sense of play here, a reminder that art doesn't always need to be serious; sometimes, it just needs to surprise us.