Details
Description
A rare and exceptional original graphite pencil drawing of a melancholic clown profile by the prominent Italian Surrealist painter Carlo …
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A rare and exceptional original graphite pencil drawing of a melancholic clown profile by the prominent Italian Surrealist painter Carlo Canevari (1922–1996). Best known internationally for his satirical, highly stylized parodies of religious and theatrical figures, Canevari's works are highly prized by collectors and held in prestigious institutional collections, including the Robert Lehman Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This expressive piece highlights Canevari's signature aesthetic: an elongated neck, delicate linework, and a hauntingly expressive gaze. The clown is detailed with traditional teardrop makeup accents beneath the eyes, a polka-dot bowtie, and a weathered top hat. The artist utilizes masterclass cross-hatching to build soft shadows, adding striking three-dimensional texture to the paper.
Front - Elegantly hand-signed in graphite cursive by the artist in the lower right margin, reading "Carlo Canevari", immediately followed by his highly collectible, personal stylized rose flower mark.
The original sketch is beautifully housed within a premium, wide brushed silver-toned wooden gallery frame. It is protected under pristine glass and bordered by a thick, custom warm-taupe conservation matboard that balances the monochromatic graphite tones. Heavy-duty professional hanging wire is completely installed on the backing board for immediate exhibition.
Artist: Carlo Canevari (Italian, 1922–1996)
Medium: Graphite/Pencil on Fine Art Paper
Subject: Sad Clown, Harlequin, Teatro Character Study
Signature: Hand-signed front lower right with artist's personal flower mark
Framing: Custom gallery framed behind glass with heavy-duty wire back
Provenance: Private Collection
Framed Size: 19.5" W x 23.75" H
Framed Depth: 0.5" D
Unframed/Visible Artwork Size: 8.5" W x 12.75" H
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- Dimensions
- 19.5ʺW × 0.5ʺD × 23.75ʺH
- Frame Type
- Framed
- Art Subjects
- Figure
- Period
- Mid 20th Century
- Country of Origin
- Italy
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Glass
- Graphite
- Wood
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Dark Gray
- Condition Notes
- Excellent Vintage Condition. The graphite linework remains crisp, sharp, and uniformly dark with zero smudging, rubbing, or fading. The underlying … moreExcellent Vintage Condition. The graphite linework remains crisp, sharp, and uniformly dark with zero smudging, rubbing, or fading. The underlying fine art paper shows minimal, uniform age-toning but is totally free of foxing, moisture staining, or structural defects. The silver wooden frame is robust and architecturally sound with negligible handling wear to the corners. Ready to hang out of the box. less
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