Slow Dance for the Nativity, 1958 (oil on board)

In 1956 Michael Ayrton spent several months at Cumae near the Bay of Naples, site of the first Ancient Greek colony in Italy. This inspired him to travel through Greece and the Greek Islands and he became fascinated by Ancient Greek mythology and remains. This painting is partly a response to his encounters with ancient traditions which have survived to the present in Italy and Greece. Michael Ayrton had a very varied career. He was a member of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, an art critic, novelist, art historian, theatrical designer, film director, broadcaster and artist;