Sunday, May 03, 2015

A John Peers clown painting (probably of Emmett Kelly) I bought years ago at a junk store

By Jack Brummet, Outsider Art Ed.



I know a lot of people don't like clowns. I'm pretty neutral on clowns (except maybe John Wayne Gacy). I bought this oil for $5 about 20 years ago at a junk/antique store on Lake City Way (it's about 2'x3'). I did some searching and found out the  artist is John Peers, a somewhat well-known painter of clowns. 

"This is Famous Bohemian San Francisco gallery artist (of the time) PEERS, from the 1950's. My mother and father both knew this man and he painted many paintings for them. I still have some of the nicest ones." Someone else: "Peers lived in South San Francisco and liked to drink. He was a friend of my Uncle Giovanni and should be about 75-80 is he is still alive. He would go to bard on Third Street (near Candlestick Park) and sell those clown paintings for $25.  My Uncle has 3 and they are rather good." 

I think the subject of the painting is Emmett Kelly who was a kind of hobo/clown amalgam (like Red Skelton)?


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21 comments:

Unknown said...

I have one like this can you tell what it's worthyou can reach me at Randy2crawford@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

What are these Peers portraits worth some quite valuable I have two of them & both one of one originals On others the same

Gary said...

Is this painting for sale?

Anonymous said...

My grandmother also knew this artist she worked in the bar where he hung out I have seven of his paintings ranging in all sizes including one of himself as a little boy and one that looks like it maybe a Chinese farmer they're all in the original frames my paintings are for sale

Anonymous said...

Yes I have one of these portraits as well they are quite valuable to say his portraits were are always one of one . There was never a series of these portraits painted each individual painting were painted for his customer that was purchasing painting so there was never 2 alike the pain I have is also for sale serious spider buyers only

Anonymous said...

Hey Anonymous, that’s not true. I have almost an exact copy of his red hat clown portrait. So he definitely did copies.

The Fact Jack said...

Anyone that is looking for any of his artwork please contact me these are for sale he never made copies he painted of similar paintings of another of the same setting but it wasn't copied and to let you know they're quite valuable they're one of one like I said

The Fact Jack said...

Anyone that is looking for any of his artwork please contact me these are for sale he never made copies he painted of similar paintings of another of the same setting but it wasn't copied and to let you know they're quite valuable they're one of one like I said

The Fact Jack said...

Anyone that is looking for any of his artwork please contact me these are for sale he never made copies he painted of similar paintings of another of the same setting but it wasn't copied and to let you know they're quite valuable they're one of one like I said

Md415 said...

I have 3 peers painting looking to sell them

Md415 said...

Dowling415@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Do you have any peers paintings for sale?

Anonymous said...

We have 4 of Peers clowns

Unknown said...

I have one

Ciccia said...

I'm looking to sell my 4. Let me know if your interested or know of anyone who is. Thanks.

Ciccia said...

Did you sell your prints? If so do you think buyer would like more? I have 4.

Unknown said...

I have several of John's paintings, knew him quite well as a family friend - but also from the S.F. Produce Market nearly every day in the 1980's. Looking for any relatives who might around, including his children. -gib papazian gibpap@me.com

Unknown said...

I have two Peer painting for sall. My email is stacyandromone@gmail.com

The Fact Jack said...

If he painted one clown for me that is one of one just because they look simular they are not cause they weren't painted by a machine that mass produced them so there one of one copies are done by someone other than the original artist : fact

Anonymous said...

Did you sell as I found an original and would also like to sell thx

Anonymous said...

I got five I would like to sell email electricspacemidget@gmail.com