Skip to main content
Lot 83AR

Michael Ayrton
(British, 1921-1975)
Laocoön Maze Figure II 35.6 cm. (14 in.) high (including base)

29 May 2013, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £13,750 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Modern British & Irish Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

Michael Ayrton (British, 1921-1975)

Laocoön Maze Figure II
numbered '3/9' and stamped with the Morris Singer Foundry stamp (on the base of the bench)
bronze with a brown patina on a wooden base
35.6 cm. (14 in.) high (including base)
Conceived in 1972

Footnotes

LITERATURE:
Peter Cannon-Brookes, Michael Ayrton; An Illustrated Commentary, City Museums and Art Gallery, Birmingham, 1978, p.129 (another cast ill.b&w)

Ayrton held a fascination with classical mythology and the present work depicts Laocoön. Legend tells that during the Trojan War, he warned his comrades against the wooden horse presented to the city by the Greeks but they disregarded his advice. Frustrated, he threw his sword at the horse and in revenge the goddess Minerva, a Greek supporter, sent sea-serpents to strangle him and his sons. The composition also takes influence from the ancient marble version that stands in the Vatican as flailing arms and legs struggle to keep the snakes at bay.

The present work forms part of the artist's Maze series which explores the concept of the enmeshed figure. Here, the snakes appear to come from within, representing a personal battle.

Additional information

Bid now on these items

Jessica Dismorr(British, 1885-1939)Self Portrait 55.4 x 40.1 cm. (21 3/4 x 15 3/4 in.)

Vanessa Bell(British, 1879-1961)Church of the Redentore, Venice 38.3 x 55.9 cm. (15 x 22 in.)

Dame Elisabeth Frink R.A.(British, 1930-1993)Warrior (Small Warrior) 36.4 cm. (14 3/8 in.) high

Winifred Nicholson(British, 1893-1981)Flowers - Sutton Veny 76.2 x 68.6 cm. (30 x 27 in.)

Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A.(British, 1887-1976)People at the Beach 31.3 x 40.4 cm. (12 3/8 x 16 1/8 in.)

Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A.(British, 1887-1976)Five Figures 26.5 x 18.2 cm. (10 3/8 x 7 1/4 in.)