Minister Catherine Martin T.D. unveils Harry Clarke acquisition at the National Gallery of Ireland

The stained glass panel The Enchantment of Bottom by Titania is now free for all to view

Acquisition supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Patrons of Irish Art at the National Gallery of Ireland

 

One of Irish artist Harry Clarke’s finest and rarest works of stained glass has become part of the national collection at the National Gallery of Ireland. The Enchantment of Bottom by Titania, created over a century ago in 1922, is now free for Gallery visitors to view. Unveiled this morning by Minister Catherine Martin T.D., the acquisition was supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media by the use of the Gallery’s annual Capital allocation for new acquisitions and the Patrons of Irish Art of the National Gallery of Ireland, whose membership fees support acquisitions of Irish art. 

 

Born in Dublin on St Patrick’s Day in 1889, Harry Clarke is one of Ireland’s best known and most beloved artists. He achieved significant acclaim in his short lifetime, working across different media including book illustration. His principal career was in the production of stained glass windows, mainly for churches and religious houses across Ireland, as well as in the UK, US and Australia. He also produced a small number of secular works in glass. 

 

The Enchantment of Bottom by Titania is the only glass work by Clarke that is inspired by Shakespeare. It depicts Act IV, Scene I, from Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Featuring characters from the play including Bottom, Puck, Titania, Peaseblossom, Cobweb and Moth, the work is adorned with botanical elements – a detail typical of Clarke’s work. From 1917 to 1922, Clarke made a unique series of miniature panels inspired by literature – including this one – adapting his talent and passion for book illustration to the medium of stained glass. These panels were set into bespoke cabinets, of which several, including this example, were designed by Dublin-born furniture maker James Hicks (1866-1936). The Enchantment of Bottom by Titania is one of just five panels that survive. At the National Gallery of Ireland, it joins The Song of the Mad Prince (1917) which is on display in Room 20 and was acquired by the Gallery in 1987. These panels are significant to the understanding of Harry Clarke as an artist. They are the forerunners to the The Eve of St Agnes and The Geneva Window.

 

Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, said: “Our stained glass room and works by Harry Clarke are some of the most popular objects in our collection, so we know that our visitors – from home and afar – will love ‘The Enchantment of Bottom by Titania. I’m delighted that we have been able to unveil a work of such rarity, and I thank the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Patrons of Irish Art for their generous support of this new acquisition.”

 

Through new acquisitions and conservation, the National Gallery of Ireland develops and preserves the nation’s art collection. With extensive exhibitions, public programmes, community engagement, education and outreach work, the Gallery further commits to its role as a caretaker of creativity and imagination. The Gallery thanks and celebrates the role of its supporters, including the Patrons of Irish Art.

 

The Enchantment of Bottom by Titania has undergone Conservation treatment and is now on display to the public for free in Room 20 at the Gallery.

 

The Gallery would like to thank the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for its ongoing support. 

 

Find out more at www.nationalgallery.ie. 

 

ENDS 

Notes to the editor: 

• Images of the unveiling by Naoise Culhane are available on request.  
• Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, is available for interview.

Media contacts: 

Kate O’Leary: [email protected]

Gallery opening hours:

Monday: 11am – 5.30pm 

Tuesday – Wednesday: 9.15am – 5.30pm 

Thursday: 9.15am – 8.30pm 

Friday – Saturday: 9.15am –5.30pm 

Sunday: 11am – 5.30pm

About the artist: 

Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was a leading exponent of the Celtic Revival and of the Irish Arts and Crafts movement at the beginning of the 20th century. Attracted by the artistic language of the Symbolists, he created in that style innumerable beautiful images derived from literature, medieval legends and religious sources. Extremely talented, his ability was equally impressive in different media, but his greatest success was achieved as a book illustrator and stained-glass artist. 

 

Harry Clarke left school early and began working for his father’s business, meanwhile taking night classes in stained glass at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. Clarke worked as a book illustrator, publishing his first designs in 1916, illustrations for Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson (of which the National Gallery of Ireland holds ten original colour drawings). His reputation as an artist of considerable talent was established when in 1919 he published his black and white illustrations for Edgar Allen Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination. 

 

His principal career was in the production of stained glass windows and he fulfilled forty commissions for churches and religious houses throughout Ireland, beginning with the windows for the Honan Chapel in Cork (1915-1917) and fifteen commissions for the UK, the US and Australia. Upon the death of his father in 1921, he inherited the stained glass business at North Frederick Street, renaming it ‘Harry Clarke Studios’. In addition to ecclesiastical design, Clarke undertook secular commissions often inspired by literature, the most famous being The Geneva Window (1926-1930). 

 

In 1929 Clarke was struck down by tuberculosis and travelled to a sanatorium in Davos, Switzerland, to attempt to recuperate. Conscious of his deteriorating physical state and fearful that he would die abroad, he attempted to make his way back to Ireland. He died on 6 January 1931 in Chur, Switzerland, where he is buried. Beloved husband of Margaret (Crilly) Clarke (1884-1961), the Harry Clarke Studios continued under Margaret’s helm and operated until 1973. 

About the National Gallery of Ireland:

The National Gallery of Ireland is one of the country’s most popular visitor attractions housing the nation’s collection of European and Irish art from about 1300 to the present day, and an extensive Library & Archive. Entry to the collection is free for all to enjoy, learn and be inspired. Tickets are required for some temporary exhibitions. 

About Patrons of Irish Art programme:

There are five opportunities for those who would like to support us as a Patron of the National Gallery of Ireland. Each level of patronage offers a unique and personalised Gallery experience, fantastic benefits and dedicated events. Our Patrons can also enjoy all the privileges of our Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland programme. Every Patron will be contributing to the acquisition of Irish works of art. For further information, please visit https://www.nationalgallery.ie/join-and-give/patrons-programme. 

2024 at the National Gallery of Ireland:

2024 is the 170th anniversary of the establishment of the Gallery through the National Gallery of Ireland Act (1854) and the 160th anniversary of the opening of the National Gallery of Ireland on the 30 January 1864. The Gallery will also publish a new strategic plan for the period 2024-28 in early 2024.

 

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