Label Text
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.
Exhibition History"Iowa Collects," Des Moines Art Center, Nov. 13 - Dec. 25, 1973
"Diversions: Images Of Entertainment And Amusement," Des Moines Art Center, Apr. 28 - June 24, 1990
Published References"Iowa Collects," Des Moines Art Center, 1973, exh. cat. ref.
DES MOINES ART CENTER: SELECTED PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES AND WORKS ON PAPER, Des Moines Art Center, 1985, ref. pp.133 & 134, b/w ill. pl.74, p.135
DMAC Bulletin, May/June 1980, ill.
Exhibition History"Iowa Collects," Des Moines Art Center, Nov. 13 - Dec. 25, 1973
"Diversions: Images Of Entertainment And Amusement," Des Moines Art Center, Apr. 28 - June 24, 1990
Published References"Iowa Collects," Des Moines Art Center, 1973, exh. cat. ref.
DES MOINES ART CENTER: SELECTED PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES AND WORKS ON PAPER, Des Moines Art Center, 1985, ref. pp.133 & 134, b/w ill. pl.74, p.135
DMAC Bulletin, May/June 1980, ill.
DimensionsSheet: 9 9/16 × 12 3/16 in. (24.3 × 31 cm)
Image: 7 7/8 × 8 9/16 in. (20 × 21.7 cm)
Image: 7 7/8 × 8 9/16 in. (20 × 21.7 cm)
Accession Number 1979.52
Classificationswork on paper
CopyrightPublic Domain
SignedWalt Kuhn Parade (l,l ink)
ProvenanceArtist. Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Eyerly, Des Moines, IA [purchased ca. 1968]; Des Moines Art Center [gift of the previous, 1979]
