Portrait of a killer

This otherwise ordinary-looking artist's paintbox was possessed by convicted serial murderer John Wayne Gacy during his incarceration on death row in Illinois.

Gacy, acquired this paint set in 1982 and with it created over two thousand canvases most of wich were eagerly purchased by individuals who 'befriended' the killer prior to his execution by lethal injection in May of 1994.

Among his many subject matters, particularly liked painting himself in such a way he could succeed in rehabilitating his public image.

Courtesy of the Arthur Nash collection