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Crucifixion

Printmaker: Wilson, William, OBE RSA RSW · 1905-1972 Publisher: Harley Brothers Ltd

This is one of two lithographic prints produced by Wilsom under the contemporary artists' lithographs scheme initiated by the Edinburgh-based commercail lithographic printing company Harley Brothers Ltsd in the late 1950s. The scheme, supported by grant aid from the Scottish Committee of the Arts Council of Great Britain, involved other British artists, including from Scotland Robert Henderson Blyth, Robert Sinclair Thomson, John Houston, Edward Gage, Sir Robin Philipson, Anne Redpath and Elizabeth Blackadder.

Wilson's participation in the contemporary artists’ prints project at Harleys is described on pp.19-20 of Chris Allan's book on Harley Brothers Ltd thus; “William Wilson may have had some early knowledge of lithography, as he began his career working for the map maker Bartholomews, but by this time had become the leading stained-glass artist in Scotland. He did not feel that he could begin work in the bustling atmosphere of the workshop. Douglas [Johnston Douglas, Harley’s MD] recalls that stones and plates were laid out, and after dinner at the Café Royal, he and Wilson returned when the staff had left, enabling the artist to work in peace into the night on ‘Randolph Crescent,’ and ‘Crucifixion.’ This was probably towards the very end of the project, as one proof bears the date ‘Thurs 11 Aug.’ Given the superb quality of Wilson’s etchings of the 1930s, these lithographs are disappointing. It is possible that his time was limited by other commissions. It is equally possible that he did not intend to benefit personally – he was a member of the Scottish Committee [of the Arts Council] that had awarded the grant – but may have felt he should at least experience what the other artists were going through.”

machine printed in a single, unnumbered edition of 70 impressions