Touring & Sharing

HARRY CLARKE’S STAINED GLASS

5 December 2024 – 2027

National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Dublin

Crawford Art Gallery is delighted to collaborate with the National Museum of Ireland on a new exhibition at Collins Barracks focusing on the stained glass of Harry Clarke.

Harry Clarke (1889-1931) is one of Ireland’s best loved artists. Working from his studio on North Frederick Street in Dublin, his stained-glass work and graphic illustrations are recognised internationally for their originality of design and impressive technical skill.

From the beginning of his career as a student in the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art, Clarke’s use of strong, rich colours emerged as a staple of his work. The artist’s later works demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and show how the magic of his imagination transferred to these poignantly dramatic interpretations of religious, political, and fantasy themes. During his short career, he produced an impressive body of work, but the substantial workload, responsibilities, and constant travelling resulted in the onset of tuberculosis, which led to his untimely death in 1931.

Curated by Siobhán Doyle, HARRY CLARKE’S STAINED GLASS brings together some of the artist’s earliest works in the medium – including three prize-winning panels on loan from Crawford Art Gallery – that reveal the depth of Clarke’s creativity and offer remarkable evidence of the jewel-like quality of his work.

Crawford Art Gallery wishes to thank Lynn Scarff, Dónal Maguire, Éimear O’Connor, Siobhán Doyle, and the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History team.

Featured artworks:

• Harry Clarke, The Consecration of St. Mel, Bishop of Longford, by St. Patrick, 1910.
• Harry Clarke, The Godhead Enthroned, 1911.
• Harry Clarke, The Meeting of St. Brendan with the Unhappy Judas, 1911.