During my short stay in Dublin I visited the Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square. Originally called The Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, it houses an excellent collection of modern and contemporary art.
One of the exhibits that really took my eye was the stained glass window by the Irish artist Harry Clarke inspired by the poem The Eve of St Agnes by John Keats. It was completed in 1924 and it’s style and design is very much influenced by Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts Movement.It was created using double-layered glass, repeatedly acid-etched, with minute detail scratched into the paint layers using a needle.
The image above really does not do this marvellous work of art justice – it really needs to be seen “in the flesh”. It’s incredibly detailed and beautifully composed and the colours are deep, rich and vibrant. It’s a really amazing work.
I love his work and have a book on him. I have never managed to see any of his work in Ireland unfortunately – still on my list. Thanks for showing this.
Thanks for your comment, Diana. I’d like to see more of his work and I’ve discovered that the stained glass windows in Bewley’s cafe in Grafton Street are by him. So I’ll have to pop in for a coffee and have a look next time I’m in Dublin.
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