Reginald Marsh

Human Pool Tables
1938

A vividly chaotic painting depicts a circus scene filled with a multitude of figures, both performers and audience members. The interior setting is characterized by a large tent with draped curtains and structural beams. In the foreground, several figures are sprawled across the ground in various poses, suggesting a state of exhaustion or despair. A central ramp leads to a platform where a crowd watches a performance, and acrobats are seen in mid-action above. The color palette is dominated by earthy tones with hints of red and blue, and the brushwork is expressive, adding to the tumultuous atmosphere of the scene. The artwork is signed "Bernard Buffet" in the lower right corner.

A vividly chaotic painting depicts a circus scene filled with a multitude of figures, both performers and audience members. The interior setting is characterized by a large tent with draped curtains and structural beams. In the foreground, several figures are sprawled across the ground in various poses, suggesting a state of exhaustion or despair. A central ramp leads to a platform where a crowd watches a performance, and acrobats are seen in mid-action above. The color palette is dominated by earthy tones with hints of red and blue, and the brushwork is expressive, adding to the tumultuous atmosphere of the scene. The artwork is signed "Bernard Buffet" in the lower right corner.

Not on view

Date
1938

Classification
Paintings

Medium
Tempera on composition board

Dimensions
Overall: 29 7/8 × 39 7/8in. (75.9 × 101.3 cm)

Accession number
55.34

Credit line
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of Mrs. Reginald Marsh and William Benton

Rights and reproductions
© Estate of Reginald Marsh/Art Students League, New York/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

API
artworks/1613

Reginald Marsh
188 works in the collection

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