Albert Houtheusen (British-Dutch 1903-1979) Clown Studies, marker on lithographic paper, signed, measurements 35 x 27 cm, frame 42.5 x 35 cm

Houtheusen worked independantly of art movements and artist groups of his time and was a very solitary figure. His mental health suffered during the Second World War and he managed to reconnect with his craft following an introduction to a family of Russian-Jewish clowns who performed at the Doncaster Grand Theatre. He made a series of drawings of the family and clowns became an important feature in his work throughout the rest of his life. He had always enjoyed the theatre and comedic performance as both his father an uncle would perform skits and mucial comic routines when he was young. The clown often features in Houtheusen's work as a philosopher figure and expressive combination of both artist and poet.