Our Music
Artist
Harry Clarke
(1889 - 1931)
Datec. 1927
MediumWatercolour on paper
Dimensions38 x 14.6 cm
ClassificationsWatercolours
Credit LineCollection & image © Hugh Lane Gallery.
Purchased, 2002.
Object number1965
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. From James Joyce's On Music
"There's music along the river
For Love wanders there
Pale flowers on his Mantle
Dark leaves on his hair."
The second verse of the first stanza of Joyce's youthful collection of thirty-six poems, which he hoped could be set to music, is personified by Clarke as a pale, soulful Pre-Raphaelite mandolin player. Robed in purple silk and wreathed, he wanders dreamily beside a moonlit river, pinnacled spires silhouetted against a tumultuous silver sky.
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