Bench Lizards 1926

Anthony Angarola's "Bench Lizards", a print made in 1928, captures a scene of figures gathering in a park, evoking a sense of communal repose. The figures, scattered across benches and grounds, resemble lizards basking under the sun, a scene of leisure. The lizard, a cold-blooded creature, often appears in mythology representing rebirth and transformation, shedding its skin to emerge anew. The image invites one to contemplate the cyclical nature of rest and activity and the human longing for warmth and comfort. Consider the ancient mosaics of Roman bathhouses, where similar scenes of repose unfolded, hinting at the timeless human need for respite and connection. Here, the gathering, basking together, suggests a primal human drive for connection and shared experience. The artist creates a powerful image that taps into our collective memory and our subconscious yearning for belonging and warmth. The scene is more than just figures in a park; it is an echo of ancestral gatherings, a testament to the enduring human desire for community and comfort.