The Ballad of Two Clowns

The Ballad of Two Clowns Oil on Canvas, c. 1940–1950 Collection of: James M. Dignon From: Pownal, Vermont In this whimsical yet haunting composition, two clowns pause in performance: one strums a mandolin in a costume of bright green and gold, his paper crown slightly askew, while the other, dressed in somber black with touches of blue, studies a sheet of music. Their faces, painted in stark white with careful detail to expression, balance playfulness with melancholy—a duality long associated with the figure of the clown. The restrained background heightens the theatrical contrast of costume and gesture, placing the viewer in the role of spectator before a private rehearsal or an intimate moment backstage. Though anonymous in origin, the work reflects the enduring fascination of mid-century painters with commedia dell’arte traditions, translating performance into portraiture. Measurements: 30” x 26”