Sheet 11 of figures for Chinese shadow puppets 1859

This 1859 sheet of figures for Chinese shadow puppets, created by Spanish artist Juan Llorens, showcases a variety of characters and objects meant for shadow puppet performance. The silhouettes, printed in black ink on a white background, include figures from the devil to a shepherd, a woman, and a cage. Shadow puppetry, also known as shadow play, is an ancient form of storytelling where performers manipulate figures behind a screen to create shadows that tell a story. The silhouette designs in this sheet were likely meant to be cut out and used in these kinds of theatrical performances.