The Circus

Albina Felski, The Circus, 1971, acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.108
Albina Felski, The Circus, 1971, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 48 1⁄4 in. (122.0 x 122.4 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.108

Artwork Details

Title
The Circus
Artist
Date
1971
Location
Dimensions
48 x 48 1⁄4 in. (122.0 x 122.4 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
acrylic on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — zebra
  • Performing arts — circus — clown
  • Recreation — carnival
  • Performing arts — circus — acrobat
  • Performing arts — circus — animal tamer
  • Animal — lion
Object Number
1986.65.108
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1986.65.108

Artwork Description

Albina Felski often took almost a year to complete one painting, carefully working from the top to the bottom of a large canvas without making any sketches. This painting shows a chaotic eight-ring circus with almost every imaginable act taking place simultaneously, from dancing bears and trapeze artists to an animal tamer in a cage full of leopards. Felski was probably inspired by a childhood trip to the circus, and managed to cram all of her colorful, jumbled memories into one painting.

Works by this artist (24 items)

View all artworks
Luis Jiménez, Vaquero, modeled 1980/cast 1990, acrylic urethane, fiberglass, steel armature, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Judith and Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Anne and Ronald Abramson, and Thelma and Melvin Lenkin, 1990.44, © 1980, Luis Jiménez
Vaquero
Artist
Datemodeled 1980/cast 1990
acrylic urethane, fiberglass, steel armature
On view
Luis Jiménez, Model for "Fiesta", 1986, cast fiberglass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, 1987.14.1, © 1986, Luis Jiménez
Model for ​“Fiesta”
Artist
Date1986
cast fiberglass
On view
Luis Jiménez, Man on Fire, 1969, fiberglass in acrylic urethane resin on painted wood fiberboard base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Philip Morris Incorporated, 1979.124, © 1969, Luis Jiménez
Man on Fire
Artist
Date1969
fiberglass in acrylic urethane resin on painted wood fiberboard base
On view
Luis Jiménez, Coyote, 1993, watercolor with pencil, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Frank K. Ribelin, 1997.10, © 1993, Luis Jiménez
Coyote
Artist
Date1993
watercolor with pencil
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Luis Jiménez, Vaquero, modeled 1980/cast 1990, acrylic urethane, fiberglass, steel armature, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Judith and Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Anne and Ronald Abramson, and Thelma and Melvin Lenkin, 1990.44, © 1980, Luis Jiménez
Vaquero
Artist
Datemodeled 1980/cast 1990
acrylic urethane, fiberglass, steel armature
On view
John McCracken, Untitled, 1981, resin and fiberglass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Edith S. and Arthur J. Levin, 2005.5.45
Untitled
Artist
Date1981
resin and fiberglass
Not on view
Luis Jiménez, Model for "Fiesta", 1986, cast fiberglass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, 1987.14.1, © 1986, Luis Jiménez
Model for ​“Fiesta”
Artist
Date1986
cast fiberglass
On view
Jeremy Anderson, Triumph of the Egg, 1970, assembled, painted and shellacked wood, fiberglass and sand, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak, 1983.92.1
Triumph of the Egg
Artist
Date1970
assembled, painted and shellacked wood, fiberglass and sand
On view