Art Funded by you

Portrait of a Polymath – D'Arcy Thompson's Daybook

Will Maclean, 2007

© The artist

The University of Dundee is creating a collection of work inspired by the zoologist and polymath DÂ’Arcy Thompson through the Art Fund Renew scheme. Will Maclean is one of the best known and most acclaimed artists in Scotland over the past 40 years, and as Professor of Fine Art has played an important role in DundeeÂ’s artistic community. Much of his work concerns the symbolic meanings of artefacts from the past, and so museum collections have always held a fascination for him. DÂ’Arcy ThompsonÂ’s desire to collect, catalogue and explain the natural world formed the basis of a series of mixed media box constructions made by the artist in 2007–8. The present work, taken from that series, is a fascinating piece which features several three-dimensional and graphical elements that represent different aspects of DÂ’ArcyÂ’s work and interests (including morphology, marine biology, geometry and classics). It is a work that rewards close viewing and will eventually be displayed in the UniversityÂ’s Zoology Museum alongside the specimens that helped to inspire it. This acquisition was presented by the Art Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Portrait of a Polymath – D'Arcy Thompson's Daybook, 2007

Date supported

2012

Medium and material

Mixed media box construction

Dimensions

60 x 124 x 4 cm

Grant

18000

Total cost

18000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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