Considered to be one of Richard MacDonald’s greatest achievements, “Nureyev” draws on the artist's highly developed sensitivity for the experience of the dancer, and displays all the quiet beauty of a private moment of a legend. In a moment of reverie, Nureyev steps off the rehearsal stage and into his dressing room. MacDonald juxtaposes elements of strength and grace in this work to create wonderful contrast and movement: we perceive the strength of the dancer in the musculature of his back, arms, and legs, and we witness the dancer’s grace in his upright posture, titled head, and contrapposto stance. MacDonald’s skillful handling of fabric is paramount to this work. In very convincing fashion, the artist models the leotard straps so realistically that we can actually feel their stretch as the dancer removes them from his shoulders.