Friendship in a Time of Stress                                                                                           Finish

"This piece was inspired by a drawing by Raphael of a young man carrying an old man.  Raphael's drawing was a preparatory study for the Fire in the Borgo, which is thought to show Aeneas carrying his father Anchises from the flames of Troy.
    I have reversed the symbol and represent an older man carrying a younger one.  The circumstances are ambiguous - the viewer must make his/her own interpretation. 
    There is an intentional contrast of styles, with the older man depicted with rough textures - I attacked the original wax model with my plaster knife - it seemed the right thing to do.  The younger man is perfectly smooth.  The older man is absorbed entirely by his effort - he stares before him concentrating wholly on the issue of how to step onto the next rock - in perfect balance he is in the process of transferring the huge weight from the back to the front leg.  The young man seems to be semi-conscious - his right arm hangs down limply, but with his left he is able to lightly touch his companion on the elbow."      FINISH
 

Work in progress