Cyrano and a Clown
1932
Image not available — this artwork is under copyright
View on museum website →Medium
pen and black, red and green ink with colored chalk on laid paper
Dimensions
overall: 40 x 29.9 cm (15 3/4 x 11 3/4 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1943.3.7392
Art Historical Context
Imre Reiner's *Cyrano and a Clown* (1932) captures a whimsical theatrical encounter, likely inspired by Edmond Rostand's iconic play *Cyrano de Berger*. Created during the interwar period, this drawing reflects the era's fascination with literature, performance, and expressive caricature. Reiner, a Hungarian-born known for his dynamic graphic work, brings playful energy to the sheet, pairing the noble swordsman with a mischievous clown in a scene brimming with character and humor. Executed in pen with black, red, and green inks and accented by colored chalk on laid paper, the work showcases R...
About the Artist
Imre Reiner
**Imre Reiner** (1900–1987) was a Hungarian-born Swiss painter, graphic artist, typographer, and master illustrator whose multifaceted career bridged sculpture, experimental typography, and exquisite wood engravings. Born on August 18, 1900, in Versec (now Vršac, Serbia) to a Jewish family—his father a sculptor and stone carver who apprenticed him young—Reiner began formal studies at age 15 in scu...