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
Copied 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
  • Recreation — carnival
  • Performing arts — circus — acrobat
  • Performing arts — circus — animal tamer
  • Performing arts — circus — clown
  • Animal — zebra
  • 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.