Clown (Bald)

RED (Richard Bernard) SKELTON (American, 1913-1997) Untitled oil painting on canvas of an unsmiling, perhaps tired, balding clown. The artist's hand signature is in the lower right. The framed work measures 26" x 18." As a teen, acclaimed entertainer Red Skelton had worked as a clown in the circus and in vaudeville. Early in his show business career he started painting portraits of clowns in his leisure time, and after his television show ended in 1971, he painted full time. Some of the clowns were reflections of himself, with red hair and blue eyes. This work of art was a gift from Mr. Skelton to his friend, Martha Raye, the American vaudeville comedienne, actress and singer. Upon Ms. Raye's death in 1994, the painting was bestowed to a friend and co-owner of a restaurant Martha frequented, Matteo's in Los Angeles, where it hung until the restaurant was sold in 2005. It has been in storage since that time.