‘Merce Cunningham is, without doubt, the world’s greatest living choreographer,’ wrote John O’Mahony some years ago in the Guardian, ‘His name stands alongside Martha Graham and George Balanchine in the pantheon of mercurial figures that transformed twentieth-century dance.’
Cunningham (1919-2009) was also the life partner of another leading creative figure, the composer and artist, John Cage. Both men were careful to maintain their privacy, notes Peter Dickinson in his book of interviews about the latter, CageTalk:
What is significant is the stroke of fortune that brought them together…and eventually gave them most of a lifetime together. Cage needed dancers and support from other arts at a time when the musical world would not take him seriously; Cunningham needed a promoter. Cage turned to Zen and chance [especially the I-Ching] at a time of great personal crisis but he also had Cunningham, and together they transformed both dance and music. [CageTalk, p.55-6]
I’ve had this photograph of Merce Cunningham in a folder of people and things to draw for some years. Look at that remarkable face under that astonishing hair-do. There is a life well-lived in those folds and lines. I’ve tried before to capture his ‘gaze’ – as Emily Ball has it – including that slightly wayward left eye, but here it finally seems to have worked.
Michael – you’ve really got him – I loved him & had no idea he and Cage were a couple – what a couple! Thank you xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, imagine the conversations over supper!
LikeLike
I’m hearing James Brown “So good. So good!!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bless you!
LikeLike
Marvellous portrait, Michael. I especially love your treatment of his (indeed astonishing) hairdo – it gives the rather weathered face a great vigour.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jacob, he was a joy to draw.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right it is an astonishing face, and a great drawing of it too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sue.
LikeLike
Myself a man of ample eyebrows, I like his, too, as you have portrayed them. Nicely executed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Howard. Much appreciated.
LikeLike
A wonderful descriptive drawing. I love the hair and intense stare of Merce’s eyes. The B&W minimal lines are very effective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know, I could look at that face and draw it many times over – such character!
LikeLike
I take it this post’s title caused you no strain and all your effort went into the drawing. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heh heh!
LikeLike
I love both Cunningham and Cage…wonderful capture. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kerfe. Me too – fascinating people, both of them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this drawing with both shading and lines. What a marvelous face!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A remarkable-looking man indeed.
LikeLike