Lot Essay
In the same year as the present work, Hockney produced a number of studies of prominent figures from the world of ballet, including Wayne Sleep and Frederick Ashton. In 1978 Nureyev was approached regarding the choreography of 'Parade' to be staged at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York and for which Hockney was to produce the designs. Nureyev eventually withdrew from the project and was replaced by Gray Veredon.