Ayrton, Michael (1921-1975) - 1949-50 The Captive Seven (Tate Collection)
Michael Ayrton was an English artist and writer, known as a painter, printmaker and sculptor, and also as a critic, broadcaster and novelist. His work is in several important collections including the Tate Gallery, London, National Portrait Gallery, London, Museum of Modern Art, New York, Fry Art Gallery, Essex.
Between 1946 and 1952 Ayrton made several visits to Italy, where he became interested in the Renaissance principles of perspective. 'The Captive Seven' is one of Ayrton's major works. The figures were inspired by the street life of a poor district of Rome, and are arranged in a geometrically structured composition. Ayrton executed the work as a dark allegory of the seven deadly sins. Alternatively the seven figures could be seen as being held captive by their poverty. In the paintings of this period Ayrton sought to 'offset unquiet implications by a completely tranquil design'.
Ayrton, Michael (1921-1975) - 1949-50 The Captive Seven (Tate Collection)
Michael Ayrton was an English artist and writer, known as a painter, printmaker and sculptor, and also as a critic, broadcaster and novelist. His work is in several important collections including the Tate Gallery, London, National Portrait Gallery, London, Museum of Modern Art, New York, Fry Art Gallery, Essex.
Between 1946 and 1952 Ayrton made several visits to Italy, where he became interested in the Renaissance principles of perspective. 'The Captive Seven' is one of Ayrton's major works. The figures were inspired by the street life of a poor district of Rome, and are arranged in a geometrically structured composition. Ayrton executed the work as a dark allegory of the seven deadly sins. Alternatively the seven figures could be seen as being held captive by their poverty. In the paintings of this period Ayrton sought to 'offset unquiet implications by a completely tranquil design'.