Circus Elephants 1932

John Steuart Curry painted 'Circus Elephants' using oil on canvas. This painting invites us to reflect on the spectacle of the circus and its place in American culture. Curry was working in the 1930s. The circus was a popular form of entertainment, especially in rural areas. But there were also complex social dynamics at play. The circus often presented exotic animals and performers from around the world, reinforcing ideas about race, class, and cultural difference. Note the elephants are in chains. Curry's artistic style often focused on depicting scenes of everyday life in the Midwest. He was part of a movement known as Regionalism. It sought to capture a distinctly American identity outside of urban centers like New York. It is self-consciously progressive in its subject matter. It's difficult to ignore the troubling elements of this kind of entertainment. As historians, we can use sources like newspaper accounts, photographs, and advertisements to better understand the historical context of this painting.