This is a drawing of a puppet figure. The figure is depicted as a marionette, suspended by strings attached to its hands, head, and feet. It is dressed in a colorful and elaborate costume consisting of a red and green top, a black sash, and voluminous pants in shades of blue and green. The puppet has exaggerated facial features with long, dark hair and is holding a fan in one hand. The strings suggest manipulation and control, typical of a marionette puppet. The overall composition focuses on the essence of puppetry arts.
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This is a drawing of a puppet figure. The figure is depicted as a marionette, suspended by strings attached to its hands, head, and feet. It is dressed in a colorful and elaborate costume consisting of a red and green top, a black sash, and voluminous pants in shades of blue and green. The puppet has exaggerated facial features with long, dark hair and is holding a fan in one hand. The strings suggest manipulation and control, typical of a marionette puppet. The overall composition focuses on the essence of puppetry arts.

National Gallery of Art · Index of American Design

"Fan Dancer" Marionette

Elmer Weise

Date
c. 1937
Medium
watercolor, graphite, gouache, and pen and ink on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 49.8 x 32.5 cm (19 5/8 x 12 13/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 23 1/2" high
Classification
Index of American Design · Drawing
Accession number
1943.8.15645
Credit line
Index of American Design
Time span
1926 to 1950
Department
CG-W

Subjects and terms

  • American
Inscription

lower left in black ink: ELMER WEISE

NGA object ID 27736. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.