Jacques Chesnais (1907 – 1971) was a French engraver, painter, illustrator and marionnettiste. His troupe, Les Comédiens de Bois de Jacques Chesnais, performed throughout Europe. A friend of mine who is a puppet enthusiast commissioned this piece.

Citation attributed to Jacques Chesnais
De tout temps les hommes ont cherché à pénétrer le mystère de la vie et à défaut à créer l’illusion de la vie. La marionnette reste bien la plus touchante et la plus parfaite réussite de cette auto-suggestion.
Translation: For ages men have sought to penetrate the mystery of life, or at least create the illusion of life. The puppet remains by far the most touching and most perfect achievement of this self-illusion.