Fotoreproductie van een schets van een jongen die een toneelstuk met handpoppen opvoert voor een hond, door Albert Hendschel before 1870

This photostatic reproduction of a sketch by Albert Hendschel presents us with a scene of youthful play, rendered in delicate lines. The circular composition encloses a boy absorbed in a puppet show for his canine audience. Theodor Huth masterfully uses the monochromatic palette to create a sense of intimacy, highlighting the textures of the clothing and the focused expressions of both boy and dog. The sketch's composition, framed within the circle, draws attention to the relationships between the figures. There's a delightful mirroring at play – the boy, acting as a puppeteer, mirrors the artist's role as a creator. The dog, an observer, is also a silent audience, and this interplay establishes a hierarchy of spectatorship. The formal choice of confining the sketch within a circle serves to isolate and elevate this private moment, transforming it into a study of performance, reception, and the art of seeing itself.