Patrick Webb has painted for more than 50 years. He holds a BFA from MICA and an MFA from Yale, and attended Skowhegan.
Since 1990 his paintings have followed Punchinello, the Commedia dell'Arte clown, as a stand-in for himself. He is a Guggenheim Fellow, and the Leslie-Lohman Museum owns a large version of his painting Toast.
Falling Armenians, an installation of about 50 of his canvases, is on view in Brooklyn through November 1, 2026.
@patrickwebb115 on Instagram · Patrick Webb on the Camp Z roster
In his words
My paintings since 1990 have represented the experiences of a contemporary version of the Commedia dell'Arte figure Punchinello—an American cousin to the famous Italian clown. I first came across him in the paintings and drawings of G.D. Tiepolo and was immediately attracted to him. His phallic red nose and white hat intrigued me. Here was a character who was both individual and anonymous. He is repeatable and yet different. He is both ridiculous and heroic. He became I and not I –an everygayman whose experiences I could explore in single and sequential canvasses.
Tap any work to save it, ask a question or make an offer.