Collections

Serpent and Mirror

Artist: Littlejohn, William Hunter, RSA RSW RGI · 1929-2006Printer: Dunbar, Lennox, RSA · b. 1952

Serpent and Mirror

The artist developed this particular imagery in his watercolours (see for example RSA 2009.055 ‘Serpent and Mirror’; “Untitled” (1979), mixed…

The artist developed this particular imagery in his watercolours (see for example RSA 2009.055 ‘Serpent and Mirror’; “Untitled” (1979), mixed media, 34 x 62cm, repro p.42 William Littlejohn, RSA Exhib cat.2008,where the serpent’s head and the moon are both reflected in the hand mirror to the right, as well as in an edition of differently coloured etching and chine colle prints (vide 2020.0004)).

The RSA Director, in an e-mail to RSA Documentation Officer of 2020-01-20 stated; “William Littlejohn Serpent and Mirror (etching). This is the smaller of the editions of this print/collage. The other (green/brown) option exists within the RSA collection already. The prints were made as editions by Peacock Printmakers in Aberdeen and the artist worked upon these editions with Lennox Dunbar RSA. Both were based upon a watercolour in the collection of Dr Doreen Milne. This work will have been purchased from Peacock by Dr Milne.

William Littlejohn Serpent and Mirror (and Moon perhaps). This watercolour collage was the starting point for the subsequent etchings noted above. This will have been a purchase or a gift directly from the artist. (and perhaps through the University exhibition space).”

printed at Peacock Printmakers in Aberdeen

© Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture