Paul Henry
, Irish, 1876-1958
Title
A Praying NunDate1905
MediumCharcoal on paper
Dimensions
39.7 x 29.4 cm
Signedlower right [in charcoal]: PAUL HENRY
Credit LineBequeathed, Mrs M.F. Henry, the Artist's widow, 1974
Object numberNGI.7603
DescriptionThis is one of seven drawings commissioned by the publisher John Lane as illustrations to John Davidson's poem The Ballad of the Nun (London: Bodley Head, 1905), but in the event it was not used. The emphasis on atmosphere and closely modelled tonal relationships typifies Henry's work at the time and shows the influence of Whistler which characterizes almost all his illustrative work done during his years in London. S.B. Kennedy, Paul Henry, NGI exh. cat., 2005