Cork's Crawford Galley adds 'exceptional' Harry Clarke piece to its collection

CHRISTMAS has arrived early at Cork’s Crawford Art Gallery following the announcement that the venue has acquired its first work by the celebrated Irish artist Harry Clarke in almost a century.

The new addition to their ever-popular Harry Clarke collection, entitled ‘The Colloquy of Monos and Una’, is a a colour plate illustration for a 1923 edition of Edgar Allan Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination.

The richly coloured pencil, ink and watercolour work depicts lovers Monos and Una reunited in the afterlife, as in Poe’s classic tale: art deco influences can be seen in the elaborate clothing of the figures, while Clarke’s distinctive emphasis on eyes and elongated hands is evident.

The public can view the stunning piece, bought at auction from a private seller for the National Collection, from 10am today.

The ‘Colloquy of Monos and Una’ is the first Harry Clarke acquisition for Crawford Art Gallery since 1924, when two other illustrations from the same series, ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ and ‘Marie Rogêt’, were purchased alongside over 20 other pieces by Clarke.

The acquisition brings to 27 the number of Clarke artworks in Crawford Art Gallery’s collection, including the three earliest examples of his stained glass work, which were conserved in 2023 with Heritage Council support.

The Colloquy of Monos and Una will be reunited with its studio companions after 99 years this Christmas, when it goes on display in Crawford Art Gallery’s current exhibition, Harry Clarke: Bad Romance.

Crawford Art Gallery director Mary McCarthy said they were “truly delighted to have secured this exceptional work” and to be able to put it on display immediately.

“The work is in exceptional condition. We are very grateful to Minister Catherine Martin and colleagues in the Department of TCAGSM for their full support for this magical work by an exceptional artist."

The Crawford acquisition is the second Harry Clarke piece brought into public ownership in recent weeks with the National Gallery purchasing a rare Clarke stained glass piece, Titania Enchanting Bottom (1922) last week.

It is in need of conservation work and will go on public display in Dublin in the New Year.

Harry Clarke: Bad Romance is open to the public until Sunday, February 18 2024.