The Clown is a half-length portrait by American artist George Condo, painted in oil on linen.[1] Measuring 38 inches by 42 inches, the painting depicts a distorted human-like clown figure wearing a furry, colorful polka-dotted outfit.[1] In 2014, the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) in Rochester, New York added this piece to its permanent collection, made possible by the Marion Stratton Gould Fund.[1] In conversation, Condo has likened this painting to “an insane Benjamin Franklin” and considered it to be the most pathetic self-portrait he could imagine.[1]
| The Clown | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | George Condo |
| Year | 2010 |
| Medium | Oil on linen |
| Dimensions | 97 cm × 110 cm (38 in × 42 in) |
| Location | Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester |
| Accession | 2014.64 |
Description
editThe painting uses mainly neutral colors in the face, with the polka dots and background using playful, but desaturated hues. The figure’s head takes up the top half of the painting, while his outfit takes up the bottom half. The right side of his face is in shadow; from left to right, the background of the painting transitions from a muddy brown to a pastel blue. His head is positioned symmetrically in the painting, yet the figure’s distorted, exaggerated eyes, nose, mouth, and cheeks, all reminiscent of a clown, disturb this symmetry.
The clown figure has two faces—the main face is of typical anatomical placement, while the second, smaller face is on the forehead. On the clown’s main face, his features are bulbous. His left eye is bulging out of its socket, and his nose and cheeks are large, round forms, almost like balls. The clown has furrowed eyebrows, and doesn’t seem to have a mouth. Instead, his chin extends to his nose, and there are teeth-like forms below the edges of his nose, his cheeks, and the second face’s mustache. The second face does not have traditional features like eye sockets, a nose bridge, or a mouth. Instead, the eyes and nose appear as marble-like, and the mustache serves as a mouth.
The top of his head is bald, while the sides of his head has messy, graying hair that reaches his shoulders. There are two blue pins sticking out on the sides of the top of his head, and a smoking cigarette sticking from his left ear. His oversized clothing wraps around his body, hiding his arms, as if the outfit is consuming him. There are thin, feminine hands with painted red nails holding the sides of his body.
Interpretation
editTechnique
editThere is a juxtaposition between the surreality and grotesqueness of the clown’s face, and the clean, pristine nature of his outfit and the manicured hands. The texture of the painting evokes the traditional techniques of the ‘Old Masters,’ with the finely layered brushstrokes, careful attention to light and shadow, and smooth, blurred surface. Yet, the abstract and surreal elements of this piece such as distorted facial features and antennas and cigarettes sticking out of his head evokes techniques of the ‘Modernists.’ Along with the painting’s gold frames, the clown is painted in the style of classical portraiture, but the bizarre nature of the clown creates a contrast between tradition and modernity, blending classical realism with the experimental nature of modern art. At initial view, the painting might seem playful or even comical because it depicts a clown, which is usually associated with entertainment. However, on closer examination, the figure’s distorted features, unsettling presence of a second face, teeth-like forms scattered throughout the head, and mysterious, ambiguous hands contribute to an eerie and disturbing atmosphere. The clown transforms from a figure of comedy and entertainment, to a figure of horror, that is uncanny and off-putting.
Psychological Cubism
editBeyond Beauty Exhibition
editThe Clown is currently exhibited in the gallery of MAG's 17th century European art.[2] When it was first unveiled, visitors had mixed reactions. Some found the contrast between Condo's contemporary surrealism and the traditional Old Masters paintings engaging, as it prompted them to view contemporary art in the lens of the historical works they reference.[2] However, even though Condo has had a long-established career, the placement of his surreal clown alongside Old Master paintings challenged other visitors' preconceived ideas about artistic taste and skills.[2]
The diverse, nuanced conversation around The Clown inspired MAG's Beyond Beauty exhibition, which was on display from June 9, 2023 to November 26, 2023.[2] Beyond Beauty showcased artwork from MAG's permanent collection where artists intentionally push beyond conventional notions of art and beauty to express their vision, deliver impactful messages, and provoke viewers.[2] Many of these works were centered on the human form, emphasizing the role of art on perspectives of the human experience.[2]
References
editSources
editCondo, George. The Clown. 2010. Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester. Exhibit label.
Memorial Art Gallery. "Beyond Beauty, A Selection of Work from MAG's Permanent Collection." Retrieved October 24, 2024.