Items Similar to Abstract Figurative Primary Color Circus Acrobat Clown Painting
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Forrest BessAbstract Figurative Primary Color Circus Acrobat Clown Painting1950
1950
About the Item
Forrest Bess's laboriously textured multi-colored painting resembles a scene of two circus acrobats/clowns and is a unique piece amongst his larger body of work. The abstract painting includes hues of blue, red, yellow, and green in combination with dynamic black line work. Each of the figures are depicted balancing/standing on circular bases and have elaborate costumes. The painting is signed and dated by the artist in the bottom right corner and is nicely framed and matted for display.
Dimensions Without Frame: H 31.25 in. x W 24 in.
Artist Biography: Forrest Clemenger Bess was an abstract artist, teacher, and frame maker. Most of his works emanated from visions seen in his dreams and recorded into a bedside log. His oil paintings were small and depicted personal symbolic images including eyes, lines, crosses, crescents, and other simple geometric forms.
Forrest Bess was born in 1911 in Bay City, Texas. As a youngster, he spent time in various oil towns in Oklahoma and Texas, as his father was an itinerant oil worker. Bess' grandmother likely provided his interest in art. His first art lessons were given to him by a neighbor in 1924.
He studied architecture in 1929 at what is now Texan A&M University, and his other intellectual interests included Greek mythology, English literature, and the study of the works of Freud and Darwin. Two years later, Bess began studies at the University of Texas, but shortly quit after two years to work in the Texas oil fields. After saving enough money, Bess went to Mexico where he began to paint in a manner influenced by Van Gogh and Maurice Vlaminck, a style he called post-impressionist. He opened a studio in 1934 in Bay City, and two years later had his first exhibition in a local hotel lobby.
During World War II, Bess was involved with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After spending time in a Veteran's Hospital in San Antonio in 1946, for symptoms of a mental breakdown, Bess took a job there giving art lessons. A few years later, in response to his father's failing health, he returned to Bay City to care for his family's bait business. He remained there for the rest of his life caring for the business as well as giving art lessons and painting.
In 1949, Bess' first major exhibition took place in New York City, promoted by gallery owner Betty Parsons. Parsons represented major artists involved with Abstract Expressionist and Color Field painters. Additional exhibitions followed throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Bess' work has been included in many major galleries and exhibitions including the Corcoran Gallery Biennial in 1939, the Witte Museum in San Antonio in 1938 and 1967, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston in 1951, the Andre Emmerich Gallery in Houston in 1958, the Oklahoma Art Center in Oklahoma City in 1951, and the New Arts Gallery in Houston in 1963, among many others.
Many Texas collectors and artists were drawn to Bess' work in the 1960s. Towards the end of that decade, Bess' career began to ebb, as his theory on hermaphroditism alienated many. His eccentricity preceded a stroke he suffered in 1974, and was admitted to a state hospital, later to be diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic. He soon stopped painting and died in 1977 in Bay City, Texas.
After his death, exhibitions of Bess' work took place at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, the Butler Gallery in Houston, and the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany. The Smithsonian Institute's archives of American Art houses much of his correspondence.
Provenance: From the Private Collection in Houston, Texas.
- Creator:Forrest Bess (1911 - 1977, American)
- Creation Year:1950
- Dimensions:Height: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)Width: 27.5 in (69.85 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Houston, TX
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1969
1stDibs seller since 2014
784 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 9 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Houston, TX
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Limones y Limones 1By Valentina AtkinsonLocated in Houston, TXTextured block painting of lemons and lemon halves. Mainly deep yellow and light browns. The lines appear to be carved into the paint creating a layered affect to the composition. Fi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Geometric Abstract Paintings
MaterialsMixed Media, Oil
- Colorful Nude Portrait of Red Devil Vertical PaintingLocated in Houston, TXAbstract figurative smiling red devil figure wearing black and white stripped socks. Signed by artist in the lower left corner. Dimensions Without Frame: H 26.25 in. x W 6.75 in. Artist Biography: Jeff Delude...Category
Late 20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Wood, Oil
- Untitled Expressionist Style Figurative Abstract On MasoniteBy Morris GluckmanLocated in Houston, TXEarly Morris Gluckman abstract painting of a black shadow figure holding a pink item. Artist Biography: Morris Gluckman was born in 1894 in Kiev, Russia. He was an active artist in...Category
1950s Abstract Figurative Paintings
MaterialsMasonite, Oil
- "Love Cycle" Abstract Expressionist Hearts PaintingBy Paul ReevesLocated in Houston, TXLarge abstract piece by Paul Reeves comprised of a grid of hearts showing a person's heart at different stages of a relationship. Signed, titled, and dated on the back. Dimensions W...Category
2010s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
MaterialsOil
- “Blue Cat’s Cradle” Modern Abstract Blue Mixed Media Female Figurative PaintingLocated in Houston, TXLarge abstract blue-toned figurative portrait that depicts a woman and with string looped around her fingers also recognized as one of the oldest games in human history: Cat's Cradle...Category
1980s Abstract Abstract Paintings
MaterialsMixed Media, Oil, Paper
- "Espectros Ibéricos" Black, Gray, and Cream Abstract Figurative PaintingBy Francisco Moreno CapdevillaLocated in Houston, TXBlack, grey, and cream toned figurative abstract painting by Mexican artist Francisco Moreno Capdevila. The work features various headless g...Category
1960s Abstract Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil
You May Also Like
- The FamilyLocated in Miami, FLJohannes Boekhoudt is a Dutch artist born on October 20, 1966. In 1973, Boekhoudt immigrated with his parents to Costa Rica, eventually working as a commercial and air ambulance pilo...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Oil
- EscandaloLocated in Miami, FLJohannes Boekhoudt is a Dutch artist born on October 20, 1966. In 1973, Boekhoudt immigrated with his parents to Costa Rica, eventually working as a commercial and air ambulance pilo...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings
MaterialsOil, Canvas
- AmistadesLocated in Miami, FLJohannes Boekhoudt is a Dutch artist born on October 20, 1966. In 1973, Boekhoudt immigrated with his parents to Costa Rica, eventually working as a commercial and air ambulance pilo...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings
MaterialsOil, Linen
- FantasyLocated in Miami, FLJohannes Boekhoudt is a Dutch artist born on October 20, 1966. In 1973, Boekhoudt immigrated with his parents to Costa Rica, eventually working as a commercial and air ambulance pilo...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Oil
- SUNGLASSES IN A VEIL (after Sargent) - Abstract Figurative Painting, texturedBy Eleanor AldrichLocated in Signal Mountain, TNAre those actual sunglasses in that painting? You might be asking. Good question! Keep em comin. But Nope! They are in fact painted. "Sunglasses in a Veil (After Sargent...Category
2010s Abstract Abstract Paintings
MaterialsEnamel
- "After Work"By Vaclav VytlacilLocated in Lambertville, NJJim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork. Signed lower right Vaclav Vytlacil (1892-1984) He was born to Czechoslovakian parents in 1892 in New York City. Living in C...Category
20th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Primary Color
German Painting 1950
Retro Circus Art
Painting Mexican Town
The Acrobats
Vintage Circus Signs
Vintage Clown Art
Oil Paintings Germany 1950
Circus Family
Acrobat Vintage
Vintage Clown Painting
Vintage Clown Sign
Circus Clown
Circus Clown Art
Circus Figures
Blue Circus
Acrobates Painting
Acrobats Painting