bruce davidson’s latest book brings together his work in three very different american circuses across a decade of the mid-twentieth century. davidson’s poetic and profound eye reveals not only the circus that is passing away, but takes us through what could be called the eternal circus. at a three-ring show in 1958 davidson climbed to the top of the tent to view the performances of famous lion-tamer clyde beatty and human-cannonball hugo zacchini. his deeper interest was in the daily lives of circus people – the roustabouts, riggers, a pretty girl who rode an elephant in the “spec”, and an intimate series of a dwarf clown.
most of these pictures are published here for the first time. in 1965 at a huge multi-ring coliseum show, davidson took a more critical look at performances under a steel and concrete environment. continuing behind the scenes his vision became sharper and more surreal. finally, in 1967 davidson caught the elegant exuberance of an irish one-ring circus. he photographed performances that are the essence of circus, including an eye-to-eye encounter with an exceptional trapeze artist made from a perch at the top of the tent.
clothbound hardcover with dust jacket
88 pages, 131 tritone plates
Delivery Time:
1-2 weeks (Quick! Overnight if Needed)
