This sculpture belongs to the “Links” period of Etrog’s oeuvre: 1963-71, inspired by Etruscan sculpture he had seen on a 1963 trip to Athens, Florence, and Paris. This series of work was heavily influenced by this European mini-grand tour, and the title “Barcarole” refers to a traditional Venetian gondolier’s song. The polished bronze patina is uncommon in Etrog's sculpture.
In the artist’s own words: “One of the most challenging dilemmas sculptors face is how to join different parts of the body or different shapes, without gluing or welding them. I was lucky to have discovered the Etruscan links which showed me how to join multiple shapes organically. The Link created tension at the point where they joined, where they pulled together or pulled apart.”
