Two subjects primarily occupied Kuhn as a painter: still life and circus performers, usually clowns or acrobats who are depicted in their make-up and costumes. Nearly always these portrayals are portrait studies--the performer is practically never shown performing.

In 1941 and until his death eight years later Kuhn, who had a lifelong fascination with the circus, made arrangements to be backstage every day whenver the Ringling Brothers Circus was in New York. It is unknown whether Parade dates from that period; however, it has a sense of spontaneity and movement which the artist rarely strived for in his paintings.

Source: Bulletin, May-June, 1980.