Circus Wagon Figure: Pan c. 1938

John Collins, sometime between 1855 and 1995, made this painted wood carving. There’s something deeply charming in the way Collins approaches the material. He's letting the wood speak, you know? The texture isn't hidden under layers of paint; it’s celebrated. You can almost feel the grain, the rough-hewn quality. The paint is thin, almost like a stain, allowing the natural warmth of the wood to peek through, which gives the piece a sense of honesty. Look at the way the green glaze barely clings to the figure’s clothing, creating a beautiful contrast with the bare wood. It's the kind of color choice that feels intuitive. I find myself drawn to the way the figure is integrated with the tree trunk, it reminds me of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s wood carvings. Artists working across time are so connected to each other through their materials. Ultimately, this is an artwork that embraces ambiguity, leaving space for multiple interpretations.