Bernard van Leer and his circus

In this circus scene of Willy Sluiter (11 x 17 cm) we see the audience in tails.
In tails? Yes. The circus Kavaljos was a hobby of the wealthy barrel manufacturer and great philanthropist Bernard van Leer. He established the circus in 1935 and occasionally took it on a tour. Relatives and office staff had to participate, as an acrobat, as chief speaker, or even as a lion. Van Leer himself did an act with horses. Business relations were invited and were felt obliged to make a large contribution. The proceeds went to one of the many charities. How this circus played a role in the incredibly cunning way in which the Jewish Van Leer managed to stay out of the hands of the Germans is a fascinating story, which can be found elsewhere on the internet. The watercolor was for sale at Onderdeboompjes auctioneers in Leiden.