Harry Clarke
, Irish, 1889-1931
Title
'He Takes the Gift with Reverence and Extends'Date1913
MediumInk, traces of graphite underdrawing and touches of bodycolour on card
Dimensions
36.9 x 26.1 cm
Signedupper right: HC 1913
on verso (in ink): Harry Clarke. Dublin August 2nd 1913
Credit LinePurchased, 1936
Object numberNGI.2959
DescriptionClarke's set of wistful yet humorous illustrations to Alexander Pope's Rape of the Lock was commissioned by his early patron Laurence Ambrose Waldron. The National Gallery of Ireland purchased them from Waldron's niece Cicily O'Kelly in 1936. Clarke mastered the same type of dotted line first used by Aubrey Beardsley in his pen and ink illustrations intended for process line production. Comparisons are often made with Beardsley's rendering of Pope's poem, published in 1896. 'He takes the gift with reverence, and extends
The little engine on his fingers' ends
This just behind Belinda's neck he spread,
As o'er the fragrant steams she bends her head' [Canto 3rd]
In this Rococo inspired scene, the Baron nonchalantly snips Belinda's lock, nestled amidst the ostrich feathers crowning her head. The expressions on the marionette-like figures in their decorative finery are of extreme boredom. The Baron cannot even bear the effort of lifting the scissors. Clarke achieves a sense of balance and symmetry in this composition through his skilful placement of figures.
Exhibition HistoryBristle: Hair and Hegemony, Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda, 07 July - 25 September 2017
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