Bruno Melappioni, Clown, 1975, Mixed Media on Jute Canvas

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Mixed media on jute canvas, realized in 1975. Hand monogrammed and dated lower right. Hand signed on rear. A striking … Read more Mixed media on jute canvas, realized in 1975. Hand monogrammed and dated lower right. Hand signed on rear. A striking and expressive composition by Italian artist Bruno Melappioni, depicting a stylized clown in profile delicately holding a white flower. Executed in 1975, the work exemplifies Melappioni’s characteristic figurative language, blending elements of naïve art, expressionism, and poetic symbolism. The figure’s elongated pale face, emphasized by theatrical makeup and a melancholic expression, contrasts vividly with the vibrant orange hair rendered in sweeping painterly strokes. The clown’s introspective gaze and delicate interaction with the flower evoke a subtle emotional tension—balancing whimsy with a sense of quiet introspection. The simplified forms and strong color contrasts are heightened by the textured burlap support, whose rough surface contributes to the work’s tactile and material presence. Melappioni frequently explored themes of human vulnerability, theatrical identity, and poetic solitude, often employing archetypal figures such as clowns or masked characters. In this work, the motif becomes a metaphor for fragility and contemplation, reinforced by the delicate flower held before the figure. The use of coarse fabric as support was a recurring element in Melappioni’s practice during the 1970s, reflecting a broader interest among Italian artists of the period in material experimentation and expressive surfaces. Very good condition. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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