Circus Elephants (1936)

Dated 1936, "Circus Elephants" is an artwork by John Steuart Curry. Context for 1936: The first decades of the twentieth century were a period of rapid experiment, with Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, and the first abstract painting appearing within a few years of each other. Posters, magazines, and illustrated books were major ways for the public to meet new art and design. It is listed in the Drawings collection. The image is in landscape orientation. Drawings in brief: Because line carries so much of the effect, drawings tend to reward close looking at the quality of the mark. Drawings range from quick preparatory sketches to finished works in pen, chalk, charcoal, graphite, or wash.

Everything for "Circus Elephants" arrives digitally: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI. Once payment is confirmed, an email brings the download link, and from there you decide how to print it, whether at home, at a print shop, or through an online service. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Drawings and sketches stand out through line clarity and a sense of the artist process, which makes them a natural fit for minimalist, monochrome, and graphic interiors. Matching the frame to the image proportions avoids cropping. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour.

American, 1897–1946

If you like the visual language of John Steuart Curry, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.