Penny Day
Head of UK and Ireland
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Lot 69AR
Craigie Aitchison C.B.E., R.S.A., R.A.(British, 1926-2009)Crucifixion 62.8 x 62.8 cm. (24 3/4 x 24 3/4 in.)
30 June 2021, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street£25,000 - £35,000
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Christopher Dawson
Head of Department
Ingram Reid
Director
Craigie Aitchison C.B.E., R.S.A., R.A. (British, 1926-2009)
Crucifixion
oil on canvas
62.8 x 62.8 cm. (24 3/4 x 24 3/4 in.)
oil on canvas
62.8 x 62.8 cm. (24 3/4 x 24 3/4 in.)
Footnotes
Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner
Private Collection, U.K.
The crucifixion motif first appeared in Craigie's work as far back as the late 1950s, inspired by his visits to altarpieces in Italian churches, and they became his most recognised and frequent subject in the following decades, critically acclaimed and with broad commercial appeal. Other British artists of the period tackled this subject, including Graham Sutherland, but only Craigie embraced it in an almost obsessive way. The artist claimed not to be religious but viewed the crucifixion as powerful and timeless, stating that 'it is the most horrific story I've ever heard. They were all ganging up against one person. As long as the world exists one should attempt to record that. It was so unfair' (Cate Haste, Craigie Aitchison, A Life in Colour, Lund Humphries, Farnham, 2014, p.77).
As in the present work, many of the crucifixions are nocturnal as this is how Craigie always imagined the event. In this powerful rendition, Christ shines out of the darkness and appears alert as if still considering his fate with his coils of electric orange hair suggestive of life and growth. The sense of light is enhanced by the edges of the mountain, the lone hovering star that evokes distant hope and the outline of the ram that rests at the floor. The inclusion of various animals, an important part of the artist's life, adds a personal narrative and plays a crucial role in altering the emotional pitch of the situation. The green tropical bird positions itself close to Christ as if talking to him with a sense of both curiosity and concern, perhaps soon to depart with his spirit. Crucifixion evokes great spirituality and compassion as well as demonstrating Craigie's tremendous ability as a colourist.