Karel Appel - Wooden statue, Amsterdam Clown from the 'Circus' series (Life size!) - Sold

Please note: the dimensions given are of the statue including the base as shown in the photo.

The work is supplied with the accompanying black base. This pedestal is not part of the Artwork, but fits very nicely. This has the following dimensions: 64 cm x 150 cm 40 cm (hxwxd). In addition to the socks, the statue itself consists of 2 parts that are placed against each other (the tuba is placed separately against the clown)


This is a very special wooden statue in monumental size by Appel (1921 - 2006). This work was part of the so-called 'Circus' series, which was shown in its entirety in 1978 at the Lieu d'Art et Action Contemporaine (LAAC) in Dunkirk. The work in question was published in an edition of 8, this concerns copy 7/8.



Karel Appel was one of the most influential Dutch artists of the last century. He made a name for himself in particular as one of the founders of the CoBrA movement: an avant-garde art movement that was active in the years 1948-1951. This movement strove for spontaneity and experimentation in art, often with expressive and childlike elements.

Appel has created a number of remarkable wooden sculptures throughout his career, allowing him to express his expressive and playful style in a three-dimensional way. These wooden sculptures often exhibit the same characteristics of spontaneity, roughness and liveliness as his paintings. An excellent example of this is his 'Circus' series, in which he combined wood carvings and reliefs to create three-dimensional compositions. These works show how he used the inherent properties of the wood, such as its texture and natural shapes, to bring his art to life.

Furthermore, Appel often experimented with color, even on his wooden sculptures. The use of bright and vibrant colors enhanced the expressive nature of his work and created a powerful visual effect on the surface of the wood.