Albert Pels Oil Painting on Unstretched Canvas of a Clown

Item Details

An original oil painting on unstretched canvas of a clown by well-listed American genre painter and muralist Albert Pels (Cincinnati/New York; 1910 – 1998). Depicted is a man wearing makeup and clothing of a Pierrot clown with his face painted a soft white and nose and lips outlined in red paint. He wears a large black and white ruffled collar and cone hat. His portrait is presented in a painted oval shape with a green background and beige border. This piece is signed in black under the ruffled collar to towards the right.

Pels began his formal artistic training in his hometown at the Cincinnati Art Academy in 1931. Upon graduating, Pels further pursued his artistic career and moved to New York, refining his technique while continuing his education at the Art Students League, working under the likes of historically renowned artists Thomas Hart Benton, Kenneth Hayes Miller, and Alexander Brook. Pels went on to study at Beaux Arts and the American School, and in doing so established his distinctive, signature painting style and content for which he became recognized.

Condition

- wear to canvas from previously being stretched including creases, holes resulting from creases, staple marks, and discoloration from rusted staples.

Dimensions

Item #

16CIN650-084