Laura KnightVereinigtes Königreich, 1877–1970

Two French Dwarfs

1932 · Drawing · 27 × 37.2 cm

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Victoria and Albert Museum

London, Vereinigtes Königreich

Es gehört zur Sammlung, ist derzeit aber nicht ausgestellt.

Geprüft: vor 13 Tagen
Unverändert seit: 25. Sept. 2026
Quelle: Das Museum

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Über das Werk

Despite Laura Knight titling this sketch 'Two French Dwarfs', the clowns Zoli and Rolley were Hungarian. They appeared with Bertram Mills' Circus at Olympia during their 11th season at London's Olympia, 1930/1931, and the 13th season at Olympia, 1932/1933. Zoli was the celebrated Hungarian clown Zoltan Hirsch (1887-1944) of Jewish descent who appeared in Hungarian films and in circus, but who tragically died at Auschwitz in 1944.

Laura Knight was fascinated by the circus and was a regular visitor to Bertram Mills' circuses at Olympa from the early days. A founder member of the Circus Fans' Association she painted The Grand Parade Charivari that was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1929, the same year that she travelled with the Mills/Carmo first tenting circus. She sketched and painted numerous works featuring acts from Bertram Mills' circuses that were featured in a variety of promotional material for his shows from the early 1930s including VIP luncheon invitation cards.

Victoria and Albert Museum