Tall Bronze on Circular Base
110cm high x 60cm x 60cm, 3 ft 6 in high x 2 ft x 2 ft
Special Mixed Patination
(1)   Icarus: Classic Potash.  Rich Medium and Dark Brown, with Golden undertone.
(2)   Wings:   Mixture of Brown Potash and White Flakes, with White undertone.
(3)   Sea: Dark Brown Potash.
Circular Base (50cm x 50 cm / 20in x 20in) (Turntable inside so viewer can easily turn it 360º)

CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY:
Man’s First Flight. The famous Greek inventor, Daedalus, and his son, Icarus, were captive in the unroofed Labyrinth. Since their only means of escape was by air, Daedalus made two pairs of wings out of feathers and wax. He told Icarus neither to fly too near the sun, which would melt the wax, nor too close to the sea, which would wet the feathers.  But Icarus, exalting in the freedom of the air, forgot his wise father’s words and flew ever higher, until the sun melted the wax and he plummeted to his death in the sea below. The Icarian Sea, where he fell, was named after him.

SCULPTURE’S DESCRIPTION:
For 3000 years, artists and sculptors have utilized the best of their skills to project their interpretation of the legendary flight of Daedalus and Icarus and the eventual fall of Icarus. Richard Minns, at 81 and the height of his artistic powers, has now entered the classics arena with his interpretation: first, with his award-winning masterpiece Flying Too High (Daedalus and Icarus) and now with the companion piece 'Icarus’ Final Moment'.

Richard normally employs the classic potash rich medium and dark brown patina used by the Old Masters. But this time his sculpture has a very contemporary look. Icarus is in classic potash but this time there is an undercoating of gold, which is covered by the classic potash, but when a light dances across his body, Icarus will take on a golden glow.

The wings are set apart, with a mixture of brown potash with white flakes and white undertones. As the light changes, the wings and the individual feathers turn white and they become alive!

ARTIST’S INTERPRETATION:
“The story of Daedalus and Icarus, the Greek’s classic prodigal son story, as well as man’s first attempt to fly, has always been one of my favorite Greek myths.  I have done many “sketches” of Icarus over the years and you will find them throughout my notepads and my drawing pads. It seems that I’ve been training to do this sculpture all my life. I love the challenge of portraying a beautiful young perfectly-developed male body, hanging in space, with every muscle strained to the limit.”

“Icarus was sculpted and modeled in plasticina. The Wings were done in wax, using the same technique I used on my large bronze relief “The Eagle Soars” (Jupiter’s Messenger). Every feather was sculpted and modeled to perfection. Then when the wings were absolutely perfect, and in the right position, I slowly destroyed them, dripping melted wax all over them. Great Fun!”

Richard Minns