Bandbox Sections c. 1940

Lazar Rubinstein's "Bandbox Sections" presents us with a pastoral scene, evoking the leisurely pursuits of a bygone era, perhaps painted to decorate a container for personal keepsakes. Here, the prominent symbol is the hunt, represented by the figures, dogs, and horse, all recurring motifs throughout art history. The hunt is an allegory for pursuit, desire, and dominance, but also for the atavistic pleasure found in the conquest. Consider the classical Diana, goddess of the hunt, or the many tapestries depicting noblemen engaged in the chase. These are not merely images of sport, but powerful statements about societal structure. Now, observe the gathering of figures under the trees. This harkens back to Arcadian ideals, a longing for a simpler, more harmonious existence. The scene taps into a collective memory of a time when humans were more closely connected to nature. This longing, often subconscious, finds expression in art across centuries.