About this artwork

Rimmington combines beautiful and disturbing elements in this painting, which is an important example of Surrealist art by a female British artist. The work shows the artist’s interest in metamorphosis, featuring stages from a butterfly’s life cycle. The species depicted can all be found in Britain. They are, clockwise from the top right, the Ringlet, Peacock, Wall Brown and Red Admiral butterflies. The exquisitely painted butterflies contrast with the more disquieting imagery of caterpillars emerging from the exposed palm of the hand. The veins inside the hand and wrist have been transformed into curving plant tendrils.

Updated before 2020

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  • artist:
    Edith Rimmington (1902 - 1986) British
  • title:
    The Decoy
  • date created:
    1948
  • materials:
    Oil on canvas
  • measurements:
    35.50 x 30.50 cm; Framed: 46.80 x 42.20 x 6.00 cm; 4.00 kg
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Purchased by the Patrons of the National Galleries of Scotland 2002
  • accession number:
    GMA 4654
  • gallery:
  • subject:
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Edith Rimmington

Edith Rimmington