ARTIST: American mid 20th century, Vilma
TITLE: Portrait - Sad Clown
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas board
SIGNATURE: Lower right
ART SIZE: 16x12 inches / 28x36 cm
FRAME SIZE: 22x18 inches / 41x48 cm
CONDITION: Few minor scratches / paint losses. No visible inpaint under UV light. Some damages to frame.
DESCRIPTION: Charming and emotionally expressive mid-century oil painting on canvas board depicting a sad clown with vibrant blue hair and exaggerated red makeup. The work captures a haunting depth in the clown’s teary eyes, subtly contrasting the forced smile—a classic motif echoing the pathos of performance behind the mask. Signed “Vilma” in the lower right. The painting is presented in its original ornate gold frame and retains a label from Tony’s Art Gallery in Miami, FL, indicating likely regional origin and framing in the mid-20th century. Executed on a Weber Malfa canvas board (12x16 in), commonly used in the 1950s–60s.