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The Ib Jorgensen Collection 11
th
November 2014
19
William Scott RA (1913-1989)
Poem for Alexander
Lithograph, 57 x 77cm (22.4 x 30.3”)
Signed, marked artist’s proof and dated ‘72
In 1972 Scott published sixteen screenprint images in an edition of 72 for Leslie Wad-
dington Prints entitled
‘A Poem for Alexander
’. Highly intellectual in their concept, and
accompanied by a screenprinted poem also by Scott, the series deals with Euclid’s ten
universal, mathematical ‘truths’. Although the pure geometry of the classical ideal is dilut-
ed by the untruth of art, in this case Scott’s freehand constructions, their formal elegance
is immediately apparent and the symmetrical arrangements demonstrate both movement
and life. Scott’s quasi-interpretational ‘lines with breadth’, parallel lines and equal an-
gles become lost in a wonderful sea of colour and the exploration of forms and lines in
counterpoint - sometimes tense, sometimes balanced. The innuendo of the series’ title,
implying a tribute to the Alexander of history, is in fact a repackaging of the ideal for the
modern world, an up-to-date reality of relaxed, modern formality intended as advice for
Scott’s grandson. The message seems to be that education is useful, but adaptation and
change are also equally important ‘truths’ to be learned.
€2,500 - 3,500