Laocoön

Original Drawing

Laocoön, Charcoal on paper (2024). 18" x 24" / 45.7 x 61cm. Acid-free heavy weight paper.

Prints

All prints are Giclee Art Prints on archival paper, printed in small batches in Dublin, Ireland. Signed and numbered by hand, each edition is limited to 125. 

If you are interested in a size that is not listed, please email peter@aoifecrowley.com. 

Please note

You are purchasing original artwork. In person, the colours may vary slightly from how they display on your device.

Original paintings will ship 1-2 weeks following your order. Prints are shipped during the first week of each month. If you need expedited shipping, drop us a line at peter@aoifecrowley.com, and we'll see what we can do. 

Release Notes

This drawing is inspired by the ancient tale of Laocoön from Greek mythology. Laocoön, a priest of Troy, warns his people against accepting the Trojan Horse,. However, everyone ignores him, and he is punished by the Gods who send sea serpents to silence him.

This piece captures the moment of Laocoön's struggle, not just against the serpents but against the fate his foresight could not alter. It's a study in the futility of unheeded warnings and the harsh consequences of ignored truth. I also thought about the story of Cassandra while creating this work, another tragic figure doomed to predict and yet not be believed.

The old stories that stick around, tend to stick around for a reason. People are people, all the way through time. The stories that best capture this are the ones that continue to be told. There are days now where I wake up feeling like poor old Laocoön, powerless to change the course of events, despite whatever knowledge I have or efforts I can make. 

In rendering Laocoön, I aimed to draw out the raw emotion and tension of his tale. The chaotic swirls of charcoal reflect his physical torment and the broader metaphor of his situation. Here is a man caught in the merciless grip of destiny, his wisdom rendered powerless.

I hope this piece moves you and invites reflection on the ancient stories that continue to echo through our lives.