A Cradle Song
Artist
Harry Clarke
(1889 - 1931)
Datec. 1927
MediumWatercolour and pencil on board
Dimensions44 x 18 cm
ClassificationsWatercolours
Credit LineCollection & image © Hugh Lane Gallery.
Purchased, 1998.
Object number1916
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. A Cradle Song, (From the poem of the same name by Padraic Colum)
"Mavoureen is going
from me and from you
Where Mary will fold him in Mantle of Blue."
A Cradle Song from Wild Earth by Padraic Colum (1907, set to music by Arnold Bax, 1922). Clarke depicts a pale young woman in a brown cloak cradling her small baby with sad concern, watched by two men bidden to tread sofly when they enter from the fields beyond. Above her is a banner emblazoned with the protective Virgin and Child.
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