The most elaborate and graphically complex of Wright's etchings, this image is the culmination of the "Dancing Fools" series. This print was inspired by a remark of Rudolf Nureyev, who referred to himself as "just a dancing bear." The artist interpreted the dancing bear as a symbol of mankind and the musicians as the forces of nature which control human destiny. The image is an allegory of changing times: the destruction of the old world and the emergence of the new. The ruined buildings are a composite of London during the blitz of 1940. Signed and numbered by the artist in pencil. Edition of 60. |
The Artist cleaning the plate. | The plate. | The famous bust of Augustus was used for the head of the drummer boy. | A photo of the ruins of London. |
The photograph from National Geographic which served as inspiration for the print. | |||