Clown Batik Artwork Appraisal

Rae Taylor Original Clown Batik Artwork

This artwork is a vintage batik textile painting by the artist Rae Taylor, featuring a stylized portrait of a clown. The piece demonstrates the traditional wax-resist dyeing technique, characterized by the intricate 'crackle' effect visible in the off-white background where dye has seeped into the fractured wax during the creation process. The composition depicts a clown with curly, yellowish-brown hair, wearing a red hat and a burgundy or deep red ruffled garment adorned with white floral motifs. The clown's face is rendered with distinct geometric accents, including diamond shapes under the eyes and a prominent red ball nose. Structurally, the fabric appears to be mounted on a firm backing or cardstock, though it is currently shown within a simple white matting. The palette is dominated by earthy and warm tones: deep reds, browns, and cream. Notable features include the flowing, organic lines that define the figure's hair and clothing, typical of mid-20th-century folk art styles. Regarding condition, the textile shows some minor age-related discoloration and slight matting wear, but the colors remain relatively saturated. Rae Taylor was known for producing these kitschy yet technical batik pieces, likely dating from the 1960s to the 1970s. The craftsmanship is evidenced by the precision of the resist lines and the complex layering of dyes required to achieve the different shades of red and brown without bleeding.