Acrobat

Acrobats, aerialists, and athletes were compelling subjects for the sculptor Elie Nadelman, who was fascinated by individuals that inhabited the margins of mainstream society. Moreover, the bodies of these figures presented Nadelman with the challenge of depicting movement. Acrobat, a somewhat tubular male figure wearing a bodysuit, represents suspended movement—and the relationship among balance, stability, and the force of gravity that is crucial to the success of such performers.