Collections

Sorley Maclean

Printer: Cordiner, Stewart Buchan · b. 1949Artist: Moffat, Alexander, OBE RSA · b. 1943

Sorley Maclean

The sitter was the Scottish poet Sorley MacLean (Somhairle MacGill-Eian) 1911-1996. MacLean, in a near-identical pose, features in Moffat’s 1980 oil…

The sitter was the Scottish poet Sorley MacLean (Somhairle MacGill-Eian) 1911-1996. MacLean, in a near-identical pose, features in Moffat’s 1980 oil painting 'The Poets’ Pub', purchased by the SNPG in 1983 (PG2597). The large painting features a number of Scottish literary giants including Christopher Murray Grieve [Hugh McDairmid], Norman McCaig and Edwin Morgan who successively held the office of Professor of Literature to the Royal Scottish Academy for which each was elected an HRSA, between 1974 and 2011.

A pastel drawing, dated 1978, which appears to be the source for the present lithograph (and also for 'The Poets’ Pub') was gifted to the SNPG (PG 3071) by the Scottish Arts Council Bequest, 1997.

(http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/anger-as-pub-calls-time-on-old-poets-1-1363123)

The donor provided the following additional details; From a suite of 5 prints, including others by Reinhard Behrens RSA and Will Maclean RSA, made for the An-Lanntair exhibition “From the Land” and printed by Stuart Cordiner at Peacock Printmakers, Aberdeen on Barcham Greens India Office handmade paper.

© Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture