Harlequin and the Daily News

We can wonder what this young man is contemplating.  It may have something to do with the newspaper's headlines.  While the paper is dated 1954, we are not sure what is implied, which is what makes this painting so intriguing.

(1908-1976 American)  Born in Iola, Kansas; Chris Ritter was a graduate of the University of Kansas, Lawrence. Between 1933 and 1936 he studied at the Arts Students League with George Grosz. He also attended Columbia University and the Brooklyn Museum School of Art.

An art instructor at Hunter College between 1939 and 1941, at Cornell University in 1947, at Ballard School From 1957 - 1953 and at the Midland, Texas Art Center in 1954.

During World War II, he was an illustrator for the Air Foce while in the army. 

His work is included in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago; the Museum of Modern Art; the New York Public Library; the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, Cincinnati Art Museum; San Diego Art Center; Kansas City Art Intitute; the Corcoran Gallery and the Library of Congress.

He is listed in the Biographical Dictionary of Kansas Artists (active before 1945).