Portrait of a Clown

c. 1863

Fisher Brothers

Associated Names
Fisher Brothers

Artist, American, active 1860s - 1870s

The image shows a full-body portrait of a person standing in a three-quarter pose, facing forward with hands placed behind their back. The person's face is painted white with dark, exaggerated features accentuating the eyebrows, lips, and contours of the eyes and mouth. Their head has little to no visible hair. The clothing consists of a polka dot ensemble including a loose-fitting top with ruffled short sleeves and matching shorts with slight ruffles at the hem, paired with striped stockings and pointed shoes. There is no visible jewelry or objects being held by the person. The background features a plain wall with a curtain partially visible on the right side, and the floor has a geometric pattern resembling tiled flooring.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    albumen silver print (carte-de-visite)

  • Credit Line

    Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund

  • Dimensions

    image/sheet: 9.2 × 5.75 cm (3 5/8 × 2 1/4 in.)
    mount: 10.8 × 6.3 cm (4 1/4 × 2 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2019.12.25


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Thomas Harris, New York), c. 1995; NGA purchase, 2019.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

by unknown hand, lower center on mount in graphite: JCR [illegible]; on verso, by unknown hand, upper right in graphite: 1332; center printed in black ink: FISHER BRO'S, / 113 / WASHINGTON ST. / BOSTON.; by unknown hand, lower center in graphite: 20339