Items Similar to "Circus", Large and Ambitious Painting by John B. Lear w/ Male Nudes, 1965
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
"Circus", Large and Ambitious Painting by John B. Lear w/ Male Nudes, 1965
About the Item
This early and ambitious watercolor painting by John B. Lear shows the growing scale and detail of his best work, here incorporating three nude and semi-nude male figures in a surreal, seaside landscape. Two of the three are looking with confidence and candor at the viewer, while the third -- a gray, ghostly figure -- is facing away. This painting is especially large and handsomely framed, and was exhibited at the Philadelphia Art Alliance's 50th Anniversary Regional exhibition in 1965-1966. Lear's earliest works are often in oil, but later he moved to watercolor -- as here -- and later still to pencil and colored pencil. He retained a fascination with the male nude, though his depiction of the male figure changed over the years -- from long and lean bodies, as here, to stockier figures in later years. Lear liked to depict his figures in fantastic or exotic environments such as the circus, carnival, deserted beach, or Dali-esque setting. A contemporary of Paul Cadmus, and like him, highly focused on depicting the male figure in various settings and positions, Lear never gained fame beyond his circle of admirers in the Philadelphia area. However, Lear is having a moment now, and his works are increasingly sought after by collectors. The piece is watercolor on paper, and is signed. Dimensions include matte and frame; visible painting is 17.5 inches high by 25.5 inches wide.
- Creator:John B. Lear (Painter)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.25 in (66.68 cm)Width: 35.25 in (89.54 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1965
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU865139680732
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2005
1stDibs seller since 2009
400 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Philadelphia, PA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
More From This SellerView All
- "Red Tape", Early and Important Surrealist Painting by John Lear w/ Male NudesBy John B. LearLocated in Philadelphia, PAOne of the finest, and certainly the earliest painting by John Lear that we have seen or offered, this image depicts three male nude figures connected by a trailing line of red ribbo...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
MaterialsPaint
- "Male Nude with Banner and Pole, " Rare Midcentury Painting by LearBy John B. LearLocated in Philadelphia, PAJohn Lear was a contemporary of Paul Cadmus and like him, highly focused on depicting the male figure in various settings and positions. However, Lear never gained fame beyond his circle of admirers in the Philadelphia area. Unlike Cadmus, Lear depicted nude or half-nude figures set in fantastic or exotic environments such as the circus, carnival, deserted beach, or Dali-esque setting. This richly-detailed watercolor, depicting a tall, lean male figure straddling a pole holding a Medieval banner...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
MaterialsPaint
- "Three Men in Tatters, " Surrealist Painting with Semi-Nude Figures by LearBy John B. LearLocated in Philadelphia, PAOver his long career, John Lear liked to depict nude or half-nude male figures set in fantastic or exotic environments such as the circus, carnival, deserted beach, or Dali-esque set...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
- "Trio, " Rare and Early Oil Painting of Three Nudes in Surreal Landscape by LearBy John B. LearLocated in Philadelphia, PAA contemporary of Paul Cadmus, and like him, highly focused on depicting the male figure in various settings and positions, John Lear never gained fame beyond his circle of admirers ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Art Deco Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
- "Black and Red Nude", Large Male Nude Painting by Christopher Clark, 1954By Christopher ClarkLocated in Philadelphia, PABold and striking, this large 1950s painting of a nude male youth, executed in black gouache or charcoal on a rich, deep red ground, was made by Christopher Clark. The artist is bes...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
MaterialsPaint
- "Seated Male Figure, Beachside, " Early Drawing by John B. Lear with CabanaBy John B. LearLocated in Philadelphia, PAFinely and beautifully captured, this depiction of a shirtless young man, handsome and pensive, sitting on the beach with his legs grasped in his ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Drawings
MaterialsPaper
You May Also Like
- John Lear Watercolor "Aftermath"By John B. LearLocated in Philadelphia, PALarge John B. Lear watercolor, "Aftermath". Painted in the early 1960's, probably one of his most provocative and important works! Jesus on the Cross is a common theme in LGBT Christ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
MaterialsPaint
- Large Abstract Male Nude by Shawn SavageBy Shawn SavageLocated in Pasadena, CALarge-scale abstract male blue nude by renowned artist Shawn Savage. Acrylic on canvas. Newly framed in a matte black floating frame.Category
Vintage 1980s Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Acrylic
- Robert English, Large Male Nude Abstract Expressionist Painting, 1980sLocated in San Francisco, CAA 1980s large and arresting abstract expressionist acrylic portrait painting of a male nude torso by Robert English. Very well built gentleman sans hea...Category
Vintage 1980s American Expressionist Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Wood, Paint
- Male Nude Descending A Staircase Painting by Patti HansenLocated in New York, NYMale Nude Descending a Staircase, extra large oil on canvas signed Patti Hansen, 1976. Unframed.Category
20th Century American Modern Paintings
MaterialsCanvas
- Large Vintage 1970s Robert Gable Male Nude Study Oil PaintingLocated in Miami, FLLarge Vintage 1970s Robert Gable Male Nude Study Oil Painting Offered for sale is a large vintage 1970s Robert Gable male nude oil painting on canvas. The artist worked in New York ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Paint, Giltwood, Wood
- Contour Painting Male Nude Figure, Circa 1960Located in Rochester, NYContour style painting on paper of large robust male nude seated figure, artist signed at bottom Fred Bennett. In simple white enameled metal and glass frame with mat. Beautifully ex...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
MaterialsMetal
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Mid Century Modern Paintings Male
Large Male Nude Painting
Mid Century Desert Landscape Paintings
Mid Century Male Nude Painting
Mid Century Paintings Male Nudes
Oil Painting Seaside Large
Dali Desert
Circus And Carnival
Scale Carnival
Black Feather Vintage
Cabinet With Pediment
Glass Lalique Art Deco Table
Cabinet Sliding Glass Doors
Modern Wire Wall Sculpture
Old Vintage Metal Box
Antique Brass Door Hardware
Red White And Blue Dress
19th Century Wooden Door