John Steuart Curry

In this drawing, European aerialist Tamara is hoisted up to the highwire as figures in the audience lean forward in nervous ancipation. She had joined the Flying Codonas, a group of trapeze artists who were stars of the circus world, in 1931. Tamara’s act was particularly dangerous because she performed without a net.

John Steuart Curry spent several months in 1932 traveling with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Fascinated by the strength and bravery of the aerialists, he executed multiple drawings and sketches of the acrobats in action which he later used as studies for paintings and prints.