This original painting was created by notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy and depicts legendary circus clown Felix Adler, one of the most recognizable clown performers in American circus history. Adler, who performed for decades with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, was widely known as “The King of Clowns” and became an iconic figure of classic American entertainment. The painting bears Gacy’s signature on the front in black paint. On the back, Gacy has titled the painting and numbered it. It measures 12x16 inches.
During his incarceration, Gacy produced numerous paintings, many of which focused on clown imagery reflecting the persona he once adopted while performing at community events as “Pogo the Clown.” His artwork often incorporated well-known clown figures, including Adler, blending bright circus imagery with the dark notoriety surrounding Gacy’s crimes.
Paintings like this became some of the most recognizable pieces of prison-created art associated with Gacy. The work captures the exaggerated costume, makeup, and theatrical presence that made Adler famous, rendered through Gacy’s distinctive and highly collectible prison painting style.
Original paintings by Gacy remain among the most widely recognized artifacts within the field of true crime memorabilia. This piece represents a striking intersection of American circus history and one of the most infamous criminal cases in the United States, making it a compelling and controversial addition for serious collectors of rare true crime artifacts.
COA included
John Wayne Gacy (March 17, 1942 – May 10, 1994) was an American serial killer and sex offender who became one of the most notorious criminals in U.S. history. Active primarily between 1972 and 1978, Gacy was convicted of murdering at least 33 young men and boys in Cook County, Illinois. He lured many of his victims to his home with the promise of work or companionship before sexually assaulting, torturing, and killing them. Most of the victims were buried in a crawl space beneath his suburban Chicago residence.
Gacy was well-known in his community as a successful contractor and active civic participant, often performing at local events dressed as “Pogo the Clown.” This double life contributed to the public shock following his arrest in December 1978. In 1980, he was convicted on all counts and sentenced to death. After spending 14 years on death row, Gacy was executed by lethal injection at Stateville Correctional Center on May 10, 1994.
