In Greek mythology, Atlas is a figure responsible for holding the heavens aloft. This sculpture combines several themes that Frink returned to throughout her career: strength and endurance alongside burden and vulnerability.

Elisabeth Frink was a leading figure in British sculpture during the second half of the 20th century. Her childhood was spent in the Suffolk countryside where she developed a strong connection with animals and the wider natural world. Frink lived through the Second World War, and her father was a soldier. These experiences shaped her perspective of the world, and the impact can be seen in the artwork she made.

Courtesy of a private collection.