RSA Scottish Art
Our Lady of the Isles
 | Artist: Hew Lorimer |
| Title: Our Lady of the Isles | |
| Year: c. 1972 | |
| Medium: bronze | |
| Dimensions: | |
| Suggested topic: | |
| Source: RSA Diploma Collection | |
| View full screen image of this work | |
| Open print version of this work | |
| © The Hew Lorimer Trust | |
| Description: Hew Lorimer is best known for his stylised, column-shaped figures carved in stone, which decorate the facade of the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh.In 1956 Lorimer completed a gigantic stone figure, The Lady of the Isles, for the predominantly Catholic island of South Uist. Using simplified lines and elongated shapes he created an elegant Madonna who holds the Christ-child on her shoulder. The right hand of Christ is raised in blessing. The piece shown here is a much later bronze version of The Lady of the Isles, and is executed on a much smaller scale. The Madonna and Child is one of the most popular subjects in all of Western art. This version shows the two holy figures in medieval dress. Often, religious subjects are shown looking upwards to heaven but these figures are looking downwards, because the height of the original sculpture had to direct the gaze of the Madonna and Child to look down on the worshippers.The form of this elegant sculpture is very sleek and graceful. The vertical lines on the Madonna's clothing emphasise the tall and slender lines of the figure. This is an unusual arrangement because Christ is more often seen cradled in his mother's arms. But here we see Christ in a much more playful pose, sitting on the Madonna's shoulder. How would the meaning of this sculpture be changed if the Madonna was looking into Christ's eyes?The execution of this small bronze is very delicate. Although the surface has been polished to a high degree, the piece looks aged, as though it were an ancient artefact. Tiny tool marks have been left on the surface to break up the highlights and to add texture. Can you imagine how the piece would change if it had been executed in white marble? Or carved in a dark wood? | |
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