Making Merry: The Circus and Carnival in Graphic Art
Oct 11, 2008 - Jan 04, 2009
From poetic drama or outrageous humor to awesome physical feats that stretch the imagination, carnivals and circuses dazzle audiences with their varied performances by clowns, acrobats, beasts, and beauties. Often viewed as a metaphor for the human condition and the absurdity of life, carnivals and circuses have intrigued artists for centuries. The circus performer in particular, seen as a nonconformist artist on the fringe of society, attracted a kinship with visual artists who occasionally portrayed themselves in the role of the clown. Making Merry traces the subject of these spectacles in prints and drawings from the 17th to the 21st centuries. The exhibition features work by such artists as Jacques Callot, William Hogarth, Georges Rouault, Pablo Picasso, and Max Beckmann.
From poetic drama or outrageous humor to awesome physical feats that stretch the imagination, carnivals and circuses dazzle audiences with their varied performances by clowns, acrobats, beasts, and beauties. Often viewed as a metaphor for the human condition and the absurdity of life, carnivals and circuses have intrigued artists for centuries. The circus performer in particular, seen as a nonconformist artist on the fringe of society, attracted a kinship with visual artists who occasionally portrayed themselves in the role of the clown. Making Merry traces the subject of these spectacles in prints and drawings from the 17th to the 21st centuries. The exhibition features work by such artists as Jacques Callot, William Hogarth, Georges Rouault, Pablo Picasso, and Max Beckmann.
Artists on show
Contact details
Sunday
12:00 - 5:00 PM
Tuesday - Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday - Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
1219 South West Park Avenue Portland, OR, USA 97205
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