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
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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
- Performing arts — circus — clown
- Recreation — carnival
- Animal — zebra
- Performing arts — circus — acrobat
- Performing arts — circus — animal tamer
- Animal — lion
- Object Number
- 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.