Un Clown

Bernard Buffet (1928 – 1999, French) “Un Clown” from the “Mon Cirque” Portfolio (1968) - Limited edition color lithograph with the artist’s signature in pen in the lower center and numbered 54/120 in pencil in the lower left. The sheet measurements are 28.5 x 20 inches, and it has been mounted on linen and placed in a metal frame measuring a total of 32 x 23.5 inches. This sad clown with white face wearing a black and green pointed hat is presented against an orange background. Catalog Raisonne (literature reference) for the Mon Cirque Portfolio: Charles Sorlier, “Bernard Buffet Lithography, Tome I, No. 141 - 185.”

Featured is one of the artist’s elongated, sorrowful clowns. It is from Buffet’s Clown/Circus series of 44 images that was published in the “Mon Cirque” book in 1968. Included with the book were limited edition (120 + artist’s proofs) lithographs. Next to the image in the book* is a comment by Buffet written by hand in French as follows: “Un Clown – Enfant il allait viende en cirque, et maintenant il est un clown!! Alors?” (Translation: A clown - as a child he was going to live in a circus, and now he's a clown!! Then?) [See last 2 photos].

*Neither the book nor the photo with comment is included with this lot.