DISCOVERART

Charles Demuth

In Vaudeville: Two Acrobat-Jugglers

1916
Watercolor and graphite on wove paper
28.4 × 20.3 cm (11.2 × 8 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

● On view now — Collection Gallery, Room 17, North Wall

Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia · verified July 2026

View at barnesfoundation.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

Most of Demuth's watercolors from this time record the gay nightclubs, cafés, and bathhouses he frequented in Greenwich Village. Here he captured the ambience of nightlife in New York City through vaudeville performers like the acrobats pictured here. The central figure balances a box of flowers that cascades down and highlights his sensually muscular legs. The ambiguous yellow orb may be a stage light.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Charles Demuth

No, No O God!No, No O God!Lulu and Alva Schön at LunchLulu and Alva Schön at LunchThe Girl with the Golden Eyes (La Fille aux yeux d'or)The Girl with the Golden Eyes (La Fille aux yeux d'or)Jugglers with Indian ClubsJugglers with Indian ClubsArtists SketchingArtists SketchingThe Death of NanaThe Death of NanaNana and Her MenNana and Her MenNana at the RacesNana at the Races

More like this

Two Women at a Circular TableJules Pascin — Two Women at a Circular TablePink Nude—Caryatid (recto); Caryatid (verso)Amedeo Modigliani — Pink Nude—Caryatid (recto); Caryatid (veNude Seated on Hassock (Nu assis sur un pouf)Jules Pascin — Nude Seated on Hassock (Nu assis sur un pouf)The NymphsÉmile Bernard (French, 1868–1941) — The NymphsTwo Ballet GirlsGeorges Rouault — Two Ballet GirlsGirl Seated in RoomFrancis McCarthy — Girl Seated in RoomByzantine FigureHugh Mesibov — Byzantine FigureCaryatidAmedeo Modigliani — CaryatidSeated NudeHenri Matisse — Seated NudeOffering to Venus (Offrande à Vénus)Jules Pascin — Offering to Venus (Offrande à Vénus)Seated FigureKrona Bronstein — Seated FigureNudeAndré Derain — Nude