Stående klovn med høj hat. 1908 - 1909

Othon Friesz sketched "Standing Clown with Top Hat" using pencil on paper, a piece now held at the SMK. Friesz, who lived through both World Wars, witnessed profound shifts in European society. The clown, traditionally a figure of mockery and jest, invites us to consider the artist's perspective. Is this a commentary on social roles, or a personal reflection? During Friesz's lifetime, the figure of the clown appeared frequently in art and literature, as artists explored themes of identity, performance, and the human condition. The sketch invites a dialogue about the masks we wear and the vulnerabilities we conceal. Perhaps Friesz saw something of himself in the clown. The clown's exaggerated features and formal attire suggest a character caught between comedy and tragedy. As you gaze at the sketch, consider the emotions it evokes and what it might reveal about the artist's inner world.