- 101
Frederick Edward McWilliam, R.A.
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description
- Frederick Edward McWilliam, R.A.
- Study for Princess Macha III
- signed with initials and numbered I/III
- bronze
- height: 47cm.; 18½in.
- Conceived in 1957, the present work is number 1 from the edition of 3.
Provenance
Acquired directly from the Artist by Eugene and Penelope Rosenberg in 1958
Exhibited
London, Arts Council of Great Britain, Contemporary British Sculpture, May - August 1958, with Arts Council Tour (another cast).
Literature
The Tatler, 12th November 1958, frontispiece;
W. J. Strachan, Connoisseur, May 1974, 'The Sculptor and his Drawings 3. F.E. McWilliam', p.34, illustrated no.4;
W. J. Strachan, Towards Sculpture, Thames & Hudson, London, 1976, pp.128-9, illustrated no.229;
Tate, F.E. McWilliam 1932-1989, May - July 1989, exh. cat., illustrated p.20.
Denise Ferran and Valerie Holman, The Sculpture of F.E. McWilliam, Lund Humphries in association with the Henry Moore Foundation, Farnham, 2012, cat. no.155, p.121, illustrated (another cast).
W. J. Strachan, Connoisseur, May 1974, 'The Sculptor and his Drawings 3. F.E. McWilliam', p.34, illustrated no.4;
W. J. Strachan, Towards Sculpture, Thames & Hudson, London, 1976, pp.128-9, illustrated no.229;
Tate, F.E. McWilliam 1932-1989, May - July 1989, exh. cat., illustrated p.20.
Denise Ferran and Valerie Holman, The Sculpture of F.E. McWilliam, Lund Humphries in association with the Henry Moore Foundation, Farnham, 2012, cat. no.155, p.121, illustrated (another cast).
Condition
Structurally sound.
There are minor traces of light surface dirt and matter to the crevices, with some very tiny traces of light casting residue apparent upon very close inspection. This excepting the work appears in excellent overall condition.
Please contact the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The present work relates to what is undoubtedly McWilliam's most important public sculpture: Princess Macha, which was commissioned by Rosenberg in 1956 and installed prominently outside the Altnagelvin hospital, Londonderry, in 1958. The final sculpture was exhibited at the Tate for 6 months before moving to Northern Ireland and McWilliam wrote to Rosenberg giving a detailed briefing of his 'aims' to be included in any literature and press: 'The sculpture…represents Princess Macha of the Golden Hair who, according to tradition founded the first hospital in Ireland at the Royal House of Ulster in the year 300 BC… His [McWilliam's] aim has been to blend the archaic subject with the contemporary setting by giving the figure a simple, severe overall shape; echoing in it's vertical elongation the dominant piers of the modern building, the archaic role comes in the surface treatment which is rich in detail with a suggestion of Celtic complexity in the design. He has intended that the Princess should present a welcoming and reassuring appearance having regard to the function of the building. The dove on her left hand is a symbol for St Columbus the patron saint of the Derry area…' (F.E. McWilliam, letter to Eugene Rosenberg, 9th March 1958, Rosenberg Archive).