Name/Title
Willmott, Cyril R. (1907-1968) "Red Clown"Entry/Object ID
2025.900.FA18366Tags
Oil PaintingDescription
A clown dressed in a red costume and ruffled collar holds up a game of Tic-Tac-Toe to play with a dog—or is it a pig, given the body shape and curly tail? Behind them, a large crowd under a big-top tent watches the two perform. It’s not entirely clear what the clown’s gesture signifies, nor what the animal is supposed to do next. Willmott imparts colorful detail to the clown’s eyes, face and makeup, to the props of his trade. As with the work of fellow NDG artist Gerrit Hondius, there may be overtones of social criticism in circus paintings during the Great Depression.Collection
Mt. Morris TB Hospital FAP CollectionCondition
Overall Condition
FairDate Examined
Aug 2, 2025Notes
4+ chips block by A, clown leg, couple on tent, 4 holes clowns chest, right side by dogs perch, banner right of clown, banner right of clown, by letter G on lower left, pencil mark center below clowns feetRecommendations
requires repairs for minor holesProvenance
Provenance Detail
Created under the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project (1930s–1940s), this collection of easel paintings was originally installed at the Mount Morris Tuberculosis Sanitorium in Livingston County, New York. Following the sanitorium’s closure in 1970, the artworks were abandoned and remained in storage until their rediscovery decades later. Now preserved and exhibited by the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts (GVCA), the collection is housed at the New Deal Museum in Mount Morris. Current efforts include digitization, high-resolution photography, and the creation of an online archive to ensure long-term public access and research availability.General Notes
Note Type
Cataloging NoteNote
See the entry titled 'New Deal Collection Documents' for supporting documents, and general historic and research information.
