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Item Details

Circus Cyclist (1966) by James Eagle
British Lyrical Surrealism in the Spirit of Paul Delvaux
Oil on Canvas, With Provenance & Exhibition History
Subject and Medium
Circus Cyclist (1966) by James Eagle stands as a deeply poetic example of post-war British surrealism, blending theatrical symbolism with introspective modernist restraint. Executed in oil on canvas, the painting captures a moment of suspended composure between performance and contemplation.
A poised circus performer balances on a unicycle beside a quietly resting dog, framed by a softly draped red curtain. This still, dreamlike environment reflects Eagle’s engagement with the emotional tension between spectacle and silence—a central theme within Lyrical Surrealism, notably influenced by Paul Delvaux. Here, the figures inhabit a staged yet meditative world, inviting the viewer into a realm of hushed drama and symbolic introspection.
Composition and Technique
Created during the mid-1960s, Circus Cyclist reflects the mature evolution of surrealism toward symbolic subtlety and emotional resonance. Eagle’s disciplined palette of ochres, muted reds, and subdued greens reveals a refined command of tone and atmosphere.
His simplified architectural framing and rhythmic geometry demonstrate a measured, modernist sensibility, while the quiet allegory aligns the work with elements of Magical Realism—capturing a fantastical yet serenely convincing moment.
The calculated poise of the figure, animal, and spatial structure meditates on balance, solitude, and artistic self-discipline. Fine, translucent layering produces a soft luminosity across the stage-like setting, rendering the work timeless—a held breath in dreamlike equilibrium.
About the Artist
James Eagle was an active British painter in the mid-20th century, associated with neo-surrealist and lyrical surrealist movements. His works frequently transform everyday subjects into psychological symbols, reflecting a concern with the fragile balance between imagination, discipline, and emotional stillness.
Influenced by artists including Paul Delvaux, Edward Burra, and Leonora Carrington, Eagle’s compositions bridge dream-state narrative with modernist clarity. His quiet geometry, poised figures, and introspective tone position him within the key lineage of post-war British surrealism, a movement rooted in poetic restraint and symbolic subtlety.
Signature
Signed lower right: Eagle.
Verso graphite inscription:
“Circus Cyclist / James Eagle / 1966 / James Eagle”
Confirming title, artist, and year of execution.
Frame
Presented in a finely crafted oak-grain frame that complements the painting’s warm tonal balance and mid-century aesthetic. The frame enhances the theatrical composition while preserving the atmosphere of contemplative stillness.
Dimensions (Framed)
Height: 48 cm × Width: 38 cm × Depth: 4 cm


Provenance
Eastern Shire Art Dealer, United Kingdom
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Exhibited: Famous Lord Hill Museum, Shropshire, UK
This provenance confirms authenticity, professional handling, and prior exhibition within a recognised British institution.
Significance
Circus Cyclist encapsulates the poetic essence of Lyrical Surrealism, where quiet fantasy operates as a metaphor for the inner world.
Eagle’s fusion of compositional discipline and emotional restraint creates a contemplative reflection on post-war introspection—the stillness after spectacle, the equilibrium between control and wonder.


Collectors Will Appreciate
A rare and emotionally resonant example of British mid-century surrealism
Echoes of Delvaux and Carrington in its atmosphere and symbolism
Refined, balanced composition with museum-quality execution
Intimate yet conceptually expansive, ideal for sophisticated interiors
Accompanied by exhibition history and secure provenance


Condition Report


Canvas: Original, secure, and well-stretched
Paint Surface: Excellent, with fine and even craquelure typical of age; no visible retouching under magnification
Varnish: Clear, stable, and evenly applied
Frame: Structurally sound with minor, age-related wear
Reverse: Partial graphite inscription visible; light adhesive traces from an earlier label
Shipping
Worldwide shipping available. Professionally packaged and fully insured to ensure safe international delivery.
Available exclusively through Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD — inquiries welcomed.

  • Period: 1966
    • Price: £8,000.00
    • €9,172 Euro
    • $10,663 US Dollar
  • Location: London
    • Dimensions: H: 48cm (18.90in)
    • W: 38cm (14.96in)
    • D: 4cm (1.57in)