The Circus Parade
Painting on canvas • Robert LoGrippo (American, active 20th century)
Style & Movement
Naive Art / Folk Art / Americana (Modern Primitivism)
Medium & Technique
Oil or acrylic on canvas; characterized by a 'flat' naive technique with precise, hard-edged outlines and vibrant, unmodulated color fields.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1970-1990)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 36 inches; Landscape format
Subject Description
A vibrant town parade featuring the 'FOX'S CIRCUS'. The composition includes elephants in ceremonial dress, a white horse with a hand-standing acrobat, a caged tiger in a decorative wagon, and diverse townspeople observing from sidewalks and windows of Victorian-style houses. It utilizes non-linear perspective typical of the naive style.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the surface appears stable with vibrant pigment retention and no immediate signs of flaking or significant mechanical damage.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,200 - $2,500 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a gallery specializing in Americana or directly from the artist. Signed 'LoGrippo' in the lower-left corner.
Art Historical Significance
LoGrippo is a noted contemporary primitive artist whose work captures idealized American nostalgia. His work is significant within the context of 20th-century folk art revivalists who sought to emulate the charm of 19th-century itinerant painters while using modern materials.
Notable Features
Features the artist's characteristic signature in the lower left; includes intricate architectural details and playful narrative sub-plots, such as the man in the window and the dog on the sidewalk.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust and very slight stretcher bar impressions visible near the top edge; the frame shows minor scuffing at the corners.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the work is kept out of direct UV light to prevent fading of the bright pigments; occasional light dusting with a soft natural hair brush is sufficient.