Clown with a Black Wig

Walt Kuhn

1930 · Oil on canvas · Modern and Contemporary Art

Renowned for his penetrating, sometimes even unnerving portraits of circus performers, Kuhn resisted most aspects of the European avant-garde throughout his career. Consequently, art critics often heralded his work as particularly "American." The sitter for this portrait is Albert Driscoll, who modeled for other works by Kuhn. Disguised by make-up and costume, Driscoll’s "real" identity is concealed from the viewer, while his inert seated presence runs counter to the physicality associated with clowning. Driscoll’s deadpan gaze, so contrary to circus joviality, is characteristic of Kuhn’s portrait painting generally.

Artist

Walt Kuhn

Date

1930

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

Modern and Contemporary Art

Credit line

George A. Hearn Fund, 1956