The Weaver's Grave
Artist
Harry Clarke
(1889 - 1931)
Datec. 1927
MediumWatercolour on paper
Dimensions38 x 25.5 cm
ClassificationsWatercolours
Credit LineCollection & image © Hugh Lane Gallery.
Purchased, 2000.
Object number1958
DescriptionThis watercolour is preparatory work for Clarke's stained glass masterpiece The Geneva Window, 1929, originally commissioned by the Irish Government to represent Ireland at the International Labour organisation in Geneva. The window unfortunately was never installed in its intended destination because of official disapproval at Clarke's depiction of some of the figures. The Geneva Window (Collection: Wolfsonian Foundation, Miami) consists of panels illustrating scenes from 20th century literature by Irish writers, playwrights and poets. The Weaver's Grave (From the book of the same name by Seamus O'Kelly)
"The widow thought that the world was strange,
The sky extraordinary,
The man’s head against the sky a wonder, a poem."
The Weaver's Grave by Seamus O'Kelly (1919). Clarke evokes the end of Part V of O'Kelly's short story, where the figures of the two ancient, bent gravediggers, Meehaul Lynskey and Cahir Bowes, are silhouetted in miniature against the golden orb of a setting sun in the dramatic red-streaked sky above the graveyard. Framing them are exotically beautifuly young dark-haired widow of Mortimer Hehir the weaver, magnetically aware of the sensual attractions of the young gravedigger, poised alluringly in his psuedo-military uniform, spade in hand.
On View
Not on viewCollections
