UNUSAL EPHEMERA: "Shadow Picture" Of Jesus Christ, C. WWI Era

Jesus Christ. A SHADOW PICTURE. With a reverse image to give an idea of how it might look.
"Cut out the dark lines and spots with the point of a sharp knife, and hold under a strong light. The shadow forms a beautiful image. It should be held a foot or eighteen inches beneath the light, and the shadow picture should be on a sheet of white papег." Newsprint paper;
This shadow picture shares intriguing similarities with modern art techniques, particularly Henri Matisse's paper cut-outs. Both utilize negative space, simplify forms to essential shapes, and emphasize bold contours. The radiating lines in this piece create a rhythmic pattern reminiscent of Matisse's dynamic compositions. While designed for different purposes, both this folk craft and Matisse's fine art demonstrate how the interplay of cut-out shapes and remaining material can create striking visual effects. This overlap illustrates how certain artistic principles can appear remarkably modern, even when originating from earlier periods.