Sheet 13 of figures for Chinese shadow puppets 1859

This is a lithograph entitled ‘Sheet 13 of figures for Chinese shadow puppets’ by Juan Llorens, dating from the 1800s. The print, with its stark black figures against a pale ground, presents a scene teeming with carriages, horses, and characters reminiscent of a vibrant, theatrical procession. Llorens employs a high-contrast palette that simplifies the forms, emphasizing their silhouettes, the images are graphically direct. This aesthetic recalls the structural clarity of semiotic systems where signs communicate through simplified forms. The artist creates scenes, using strong lines and a rich texture of details to capture movement and convey depth within a flattened space. The arrangement of figures and vehicles suggests an exploration of social dynamics, as if Llorens is setting the stage for a playful critique or commentary through the symbolic language inherent in shadow puppetry. The piece functions as a stage for interpretation, inviting viewers to decode the visual cues and consider the cultural codes at play.