In time, most colours fade to grey.

These, once vibrantly coloured characters, are now imprisoned,

 and are slowly fading to grey.

The Barbican Mural 

by Robert Lenkiewicz:

Created on the wall adjacent to Robert's studio on the Barbican, was completed in July 1972.  

The late artist's notes explain that the 3,000 sq ft work, 

 "concerns itself with metaphysical ideas current in England during the period 1580-1620. These ideas cover the following activities: Philosophy; Alchemy; Cabala; Ceremonial Magic; the symbolic aspects of poetry, music and art; the cult of melancholy, chivalry, and similar allegorical trends."

 This is how it looked in 1972.