Acrobat Collection (#7)

c. 1880s Japan - swimming, diving and boats, young Japanese men
c.1880s Japan - swimming, diving and boats, young Japanese men

The Comedy Whirligigs Flora and Alberta in Twists and Twirls, Grand Theatre, Leeds Date: early 20th century

zoopraxiscope disc showing an acrobat performing a horse back somersault, 1893 (litho)
3121790 zoopraxiscope disc showing an acrobat performing a horse back somersault, 1893 (litho) by Muybridge, Eadweard (1830-1904); Private Collection; (add.info)

Circus (colour litho)
3092851 Circus (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Circus. Educational poster, c 1930.); © Look and Learn; English, out of copyright

Bull fighting fresco, from Knossos, painted around 1550-1450 BC (fresco)
JB331154 Bull fighting fresco, from Knossos, painted around 1550-1450 BC (fresco) by Minoan; 62.3 cm; Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, Crete

Mexicans Performing Gymnastics (colour litho)
STC116120 Mexicans Performing Gymnastics (colour litho) by Gallina, Gallo (1796-1874); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Italian, out of copyright

The Surprising Equilibres on the Slack Rope by the Grand Turk, Mahomed Caratha
CWA124844 The Surprising Equilibres on the Slack Rope by the Grand Turk, Mahomed Caratha, printed by Robert Sayer (fl.1750-80) (engraving) by English School

Poster advertising the Ladder of Death at the Cirque Robba (colour litho)
PER248006 Poster advertising the Ladder of Death at the Cirque Robba (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: l echelle de la mort; ); French, out of copyright

Cartoon, A Blaze of Triumph! (Disraeli and Turkey)
Cartoon, A Blaze of Triumph! Disraeli is the hero of the day, having made a deal over Cyprus with Turkey at the Anglo-Turkish Convention, thereby ensuring peace rather than war

Two Acrobats in Red Tights (w / c on paper)
BRN198204 Two Acrobats in Red Tights (w/c on paper) by Demuth, Charles (1883-1935); The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; eBarnes Foundation; American, out of copyright

Programme for the Cirque Rancy, founded in 1856 (colour litho)
CHT197833 Programme for the Cirque Rancy, founded in 1856 (colour litho) by Tamagno, Francisco (fl.1851-1910); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris, France; eArchives Charmet; French

Acrobatic Male Dancer, 1920 (w / c on paper)
BRN187463 Acrobatic Male Dancer, 1920 (w/c on paper) by Demuth, Charles (1883-1935); The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ms 3516 f. 127 The Juggler of Notre Dame (vellum)
XIR169192 Ms 3516 f.127 The Juggler of Notre Dame (vellum) by French School, (13th century); Bibliotheque de L Arsenal, Paris, France; (add.info.: medieval miracle play in which Jean)

Fragment of a wall painting depicting an acrobatic dancer entertaining at court
ALG84809 Fragment of a wall painting depicting an acrobatic dancer entertaining at court, New Kingdom, from Deir-El Medina (fresco) by Egyptian 19th Dynasty (c.1292-1187 BC); Egyptian Museum, Turin

Greek antiquite: hydrie has red figures. detail representing young acrobats dancing
LRI4658681 Greek antiquite: hydrie has red figures. detail representing young acrobats dancing. 5th BC. Naples, Museo Archeologico by Greek, (5th century BC); Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples

A bold and feminine sport: two girls in swimsuit rotating inside a wheel that moves by
XEE4186297 A bold and feminine sport: two girls in swimsuit rotating inside a wheel that moves by their own strength. In " L illustrious du petit Journal" of 1937

Tragic show: a Japanese trapezist falls 10 metres after breaking the trapeze rope in a
XEE4185396 Tragic show: a Japanese trapezist falls 10 metres after breaking the trapeze rope in a French circus. Engraving. One of the newspaper " Le Petite Journal illustrious", 1924

Letter A Acrobats. Engraving in "Alphabet des jeux". Mr
DUV4210025 Letter A Acrobats. Engraving in " Alphabet des jeux". Mr. Vagne, editor, Pont-a-Mousson, late 19th century. Pink series. 12 pages

A band of Indian jugglers. Engraving to illustrate the voyage in the meridional provinces
LSE4328515 A band of Indian jugglers. Engraving to illustrate the voyage in the meridional provinces of India, by Alfred Grandidier, in 1862-1864, published in " le tour du monde"

Winter Circus every night, at 8 am: Advertising poster made by Stafford Co and Nottingham
XEE4404747 Winter Circus every night, at 8 am: Advertising poster made by Stafford Co and Nottingham, for a Cirque show at Cirque d hiver de Paris, circa 1890

Acrobats - The Saltimbanks"(the wounds child
LSE4319693 Acrobats - The Saltimbanks" (the wounds child) - Painting by Gustave Dore (1832-1883), 1874 - Clermont Ferrand (Clermont-Ferrand), Musee d art Roger Quilliot by Dore

Engraving representing the Gibbons Hoolock of India
XEE4133290 Engraving representing the Gibbons Hoolock of India. by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

French tightrope walker Charles Blondin crossing Niagara Falls, 1859 (b / w photo)
5229605 French tightrope walker Charles Blondin crossing Niagara Falls, 1859 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Trapeze Artists, (oil on canvas)
823257 Trapeze Artists, (oil on canvas) by Mora, Francis Luis (1874-1940); 120x89.5 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Trapeze Artists. Francis Luis Mora (1874-1940). Oil on canvas

Southwark Fair, 1733 (oil on canvas)
CH376383 Southwark Fair, 1733 (oil on canvas) by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English, out of copyright

Trapeze Artists (oil on canvas)
CH236624 Trapeze Artists (oil on canvas) by Mora, Francis Luis (1874-1940); Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; American, out of copyright

Music cover, The Man on the Flying Trapeze, song waltz, words by George Leybourne, music by Alfred Lee, performed by Shaw and Weston. 1934

Circus poster with clown and acrobats. 20th century

Circus poster with ringmaster, clowns and acrobats. 20th century

Plate 522. A, 97 Jumping; B, 98 Handspring; C, 98 Somersault
3950109 Plate 522. A, 97 Jumping; B, 98 Handspring; C, 98 Somersault, 1872-85 (collotype on paper) by Muybridge, Eadweard (1830-1904); 25.2x29.5 cm; Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy

An advertising print of a circus owned by Hayatake Torakichi, travelling from Osaka to Ryogoku in Edo
UOL120839 An advertising print of a circus owned by Hayatake Torakichi, travelling from Osaka to Ryogoku in Edo, 1845 (colour woodblock print) by Kunisada

A Chinese circus, illustration from Le Costume Ancien et Moderne
STC232906 A Chinese circus, illustration from Le Costume Ancien et Moderne by Giulio Ferrario, published c.1820s-30s (coloured engraving) by Zancon

"There was an Old Man from the West, who never could get any rest", from A Book of Nonsense
LLM386615 " There was an Old Man from the West, who never could get any rest", from A Book of Nonsense, published by Frederick Warne and Co

Acrobatic horse riding (engraving)
609345 Acrobatic horse riding (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Acrobatic horse riding); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection

A scene at Battys Amphitheatre (engraving)
606654 A scene at Battys Amphitheatre (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A scene at Battys Amphitheatre)

Lavater Lee, strongman (engraving)
609461 Lavater Lee, strongman (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Lavater Lee, strongman); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection

Madame Saqui, the celebrated performer on the rope at Vauxhall Gardens, London (engraving)
584498 Madame Saqui, the celebrated performer on the rope at Vauxhall Gardens, London (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Madame Saqui)

Bartholomew Fair, London: The famous Dutch woman, 1687 (engraving)
584452 Bartholomew Fair, London: The famous Dutch woman, 1687 (engraving) by Laroon, Marcellus the Elder (1653-1702) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bartholomew Fair)

The Chinese impalement feat at Drury Lane Theatre (engraving)
584257 The Chinese impalement feat at Drury Lane Theatre (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Poster advertising the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth (colour litho)
SNG130278 Poster advertising the Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Photo eBarbara Singer; American, out of copyright

Two Women Acrobats, 1916 (w / c on paper)
BRN196072 Two Women Acrobats, 1916 (w/c on paper) by Demuth, Charles (1883-1935); The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; eBarnes Foundation; American, out of copyright

Acrobat performing a backward somersault on two trestles. From a woodcut by Arcangelo Tuccaro, 1599. Lithograph from Henry Rene Allemagnes Sports and Games of Skill (Sports et Jeux d Adresse)

Acrobat performing somersaults on a chair and bench. From a woodcut by Arcangelo Tuccaro, 1599. Lithograph from Henry Rene Allemagnes Sports and Games of Skill (Sports et Jeux d Adresse)

The Banquistes, c. 1820-30 (colour litho)
CHT173552 The Banquistes, c.1820-30 (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; eArchives Charmet; French, out of copyright

Zazel, who in 1877 was paid £100 a week to be shot from a cannon (photo)
559910 Zazel, who in 1877 was paid £ 100 a week to be shot from a cannon (photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Zazel)

Indian street entertainers including a sword swallower, jugglers and acrobat. Handcoloured copperplate drawn and engraved by Andrea Bernieri after Francois Solvyns from Giulio Ferrarios Ancient

Mexican acrobats and performers. Aztec men performing balancing acts, and two men balancing on a pole supported by a man on his back

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Witness the breathtaking artistry of acrobats throughout history. From Elsie on Hassan, captured in Laura Knight's stunning painting, to the mesmerizing performances of Cirque Du Soleil, these skilled performers have always captivated audiences with their gravity-defying feats. Step back in time to the 1800s and imagine yourself at a backyard carnival, where acrobats astounded spectators with their agility and strength. Explore Chinese State Circus educational films that showcase the incredible talents of these acrobatic masters. Admire vintage Barnum & Bailey posters that enticed crowds to witness death-defying stunts under the big top. Marvel at Les Saltimbanques, an oil painting from 1874 that immortalizes circus acrobats in all their glory. Enter into a world where dreams take flight as you gaze upon Garnier's masterpiece depicting circus acrobats suspended mid-air in graceful poses. Transport yourself to the roaring 1920s with American Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey circus posters that evoke nostalgia for a bygone era of entertainment. Discover Biddy The Tubman Stonham - Hastings, East Sussex; a testament to how even small towns embraced this exhilarating form of performance art during Victorian times. Delve into Victorian scrapbooks showcasing daring circus performers who defied societal norms through their extraordinary skills. Even amidst war and turmoil, like depicted in Bruce Bairnsfather's WW1 cartoon "In the support trench, " acrobatics continued to bring joy and wonderment to those seeking solace from reality. Finally, explore the legacy of Transfield circus family whose generations dedicated themselves to perfecting this ancient craft passed down through bloodlines. Acrobat: an embodiment of human potential pushed beyond limits; an artist who defies gravity; a symbol of courage and grace.