1960s Signed Original Oil Painting of a Somber Circus Clown in Blue

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Signed original oil painting portrait on canvas of a somber circus clown in blue. Circa 1960s. The painting features gorgeous … Read more Signed original oil painting portrait on canvas of a somber circus clown in blue. Circa 1960s. The painting features gorgeous muted tones of blue, red and green. Beautiful details and texture. On the bottom right is the signature “NAPPI” in red. Measures approximately 12 inches wide by 16 inches tall by 0.75 inches deep. This is an old piece with a beautiful patina. The canvas, which is stretched over the original wooden frame, is in great condition given its age, with the only visible wear to the painting on the corners and the very edges of the canvas, which would not be visible if the piece is framed. The back of the canvas, which features the handwritten red text “#3882”, shows the piece’s age, with some darkening.
From researching the possible provenance, it’s unclear if the artist may be famed American painter and illustrator Joseph Rudolph “Rudy” Nappi (1923 - 2015), who was the cover artist for the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books from 1953 and 1979, and was widely considered one of the greatest pulp fiction artists of his time.

• sad clown • blue clown • mid century • mid-century • mid-20th century • mid 20th century • 1950s • 1950’s • ‘50s • 50s • 50’s • 1960’s • ‘60s • 60s • 60’s • The Greatest Show On Earth • oil portrait • original portrait • hand-painted • playful • whimsical • colorful • muted colors • original art • framed art • artist • large original painting • textured paint • figurative • abstract • circus • retro • landscape See less