I was a member of the National Trust
ArtistDesigned/Sent by
Ian Hamilton Finlay
(Nassau, Bahamas, 1925 - 2006)
PrinterPrinted by
Wild Hawthorn Press
(founded 1961)
RecipientReceived by
Joyce Laing
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1939 - 2022)
AssociatedAssociated with
National Trust
Datec.1986
Object NameCard
Mediumcard, ink
ClassificationsPrints
AcquisitionPresented in 2010 by Joyce Laing OBE.
Copyright© Estate of Ian Hamilton Finlay (2009)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG017494
About MeCard designed by Ian Hamilton Finlay and printed by the Wild Hawthorn Press. It dates to c.1986 and depicts a poisoned dagger dropping over the naked torso of a male corpse, over which a banner reads "I was a member of the National Trust". It is issued by the Saint-Just Vigilantes and pays tribute to Jacques-Louis David, after whose work this scene of suicide is modelled. It has been addressed on the reverse to Joyce Laing at her home address in Ian Hamilton Finlay's handwriting and has an 18p stamp affixed.This work is part of an archive that belonged to Joyce Laing, OBE. The artist, Ian Hamilton Finlay, was a personal friend and sent her an example of each new poem print and multiple as it was made.
