This is a painting of a marionette puppet design. The painting depicts a detailed, full-body illustration of a puppet with strings attached, dressed in a green costume with pink accents. The puppet has an exaggerated facial expression, with a wide smile and rosy cheeks, characteristic of a traditional caricature or clown. It stands on a small block, suggesting movement or performance. Beside the puppet are detailed sketches of the puppet's head in profile and its operating mechanism, showing the wooden control bars used for manipulation. The painting also focuses on the intricate detailing of the puppet's clothing and joints, indicating a functional and artistic design.
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This is a painting of a marionette puppet design. The painting depicts a detailed, full-body illustration of a puppet with strings attached, dressed in a green costume with pink accents. The puppet has an exaggerated facial expression, with a wide smile and rosy cheeks, characteristic of a traditional caricature or clown. It stands on a small block, suggesting movement or performance. Beside the puppet are detailed sketches of the puppet's head in profile and its operating mechanism, showing the wooden control bars used for manipulation. The painting also focuses on the intricate detailing of the puppet's clothing and joints, indicating a functional and artistic design.

National Gallery of Art · Index of American Design

"Juggling" Marionette

James McLellan

Date
c. 1936
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 53.3 x 38.3 cm (21 x 15 1/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 25" high
Classification
Index of American Design · Drawing
Accession number
1943.8.15674
Credit line
Index of American Design
Time span
1926 to 1950
Department
CG-W

Subjects and terms

  • American
Inscription

lower left in black ink: James McLellan

NGA object ID 27765. 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.