Circus Act Painting Appraisal

Circus Act by Markowski

This is an oil painting titled "Circus Act" by the artist Markowski, painted in 1966. The artwork depicts a lively circus scene, focusing on an elephant act under vibrant spotlighting. The composition is dynamic, featuring two elephants with female performers balanced on their backs, surrounded by a ringmaster, a band, and an eager audience. The colors are rich and warm, dominated by browns, reds, and creams, creating a classic circus ambiance. Notably, the painting captures the spectacle with radiating light beams from several overhead spotlights, illuminating the main performance area. The artistic style appears to be representational with a degree of expressive brushwork, particularly noticeable in the rendering of the crowd and background elements. The overall condition of the painting seems good, though some minor wear or age-related patina on the frame is discernible. The frame itself is made of wood, painted in a light, possibly distressed, grayish-cream color, with a slight gold metallic inner edge, complementing the warm tones of the artwork. The choice of subject matter, combined with the detailed execution and evident skill, indicates a work of good quality craftsmanship typical of 20th-century figurative art.