René Ruby (1908–1983) – Circus Scene With Horses.

René Ruby (1908–1983) – Circus Scene with Horses

A beautiful oil on cardboard painting by René Ruby (1908–1983), depicting a lively circus scene centered around an equestrian act.

Under the big top, several horses perform in the ring around their trainer, while the spectators, bathed in dim light, form a dense crowd encircling the scene. In the background are the bleachers, the grandstand, and the big top’s suspended lights.

René Ruby charmingly captures the circus’s unique atmosphere: the bright light of the ring contrasts with the deep tones of the auditorium, dominated by greens, blues, and browns.

The horses, accented by their red saddlecloths, give structure to the composition and lend the entire scene movement and depth. The central figure, rendered in brighter colors, naturally draws the eye to the heart of the ring.

The deliberately loose and simplified brushwork, along with the use of broad swaths of color, lend this work a beautiful modernity and an atmosphere that is both lively and intimate.

Signed “RUBY” in the lower right corner.

A beautiful, particularly decorative mid-20th-century circus scene, whose equestrian subject and big-top atmosphere are remarkably evocative.

René Ruby (1908–1983).
Oil on cardboard.

Dimensions:
With frame: 73 × 62 cm.
Artwork: 60.5 × 50 cm.