By: François Houtin

Medium: etching
Image Size: 4.75 x 3.5 inches
Edition: 40
Year: 1974

In Clown, François Houtin transforms the figure of the jester into a surreal construction of whimsical forms and botanical invention. Etched with his signature precision, the composition assembles tubes, ribbons, fruits, and organic textures into a playful yet uncanny portrait. The pointed hat and gesturing hands recall the traditional performer, but Houtin’s imaginative fusion of plant life and mechanical detail turns the clown into a strange hybrid between nature and artifice. The result is both humorous and enigmatic—an allegory of transformation that celebrates Houtin’s intricate linework and inventive spirit.