New and Old Gaietys 

Muirhead Bone created this drawing titled ‘New and Old Gaietys’ using graphite on paper. It presents an interesting interplay between the ephemeral and the enduring through the symbolic representation of construction and architecture. Notice the scaffolding—a motif of transience—contrasted with the imposing architectural structure behind it. Scaffolding, historically, has always represented a state of becoming, a temporary support system that enables the creation of something more permanent. The image evokes the Tower of Babel, a symbol of human ambition and the hubris that leads to its downfall. Like the Tower, the scaffolding here suggests a grand, perhaps overreaching, endeavor. This motif resonates with the human psyche’s perpetual drive to build and transcend. Think of the pyramids of Egypt, symbols of a civilization’s power, their construction—like this building—involved immense scaffolding and human effort. The emotional weight of this drawing lies in its visual tension: the temporary nature of scaffolding against the implied permanence of architecture, reflecting our collective, subconscious desires to create legacies. It’s a reminder that even the most enduring structures are, at one point, just a fleeting ambition.