Shadow Puppet- Vishnu
Artist:
JAVANESE
Date: 20th C.
Location where made:Java, Indonesia
Medium: Leather, plant fiber, wood
Classification: Recreational Artifacts
Credit Line: Gift of Constance E. Stone
Object number: 1985.11.1
DescriptionThe puppet is a beautiful representation of King Kresna, an avatar of the god Wisnu, and, like most shadow puppets, it is cut out of water buffalo leather and is jointed at the elbows and shoulders with a tie of leather or plant fiber. The puppet has been designed so that his facial features and the intricate decorations on his clothing and headdress are negative spaces which provide details when light shines from behind the puppet, projecting its image onto a screen. Despite being an object designed not to be seen by an audience, the puppet is remarkably beautiful, its features and clothing painted in black, red, and gold. Every feature of the puppet describes its station: the clothing, headdress, hairstyle, jewelry, and facial features all clearly indicate that this particular puppet can only be a deity.