Margaret Clarke – St. Patrick with a group of figures and an Irish wolfhound. © The Artist’s Estate
This image of St. Patrick with a group of figures and an Irish Wolfhound by Margaret Clarke RHA (1888-1961) is in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland. The watercolour, gouache, charcoal and graphite on paper work was purchased in 2007.
Newry born Margaret Clarke (nee Crilley) studied at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art under William Orpen after winning a scholarship in 1905. After completing her studies she began working as assistant to Orpen and exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy from 1913 until 1953. Most of the work she exhibited was portraits. In 1914 Margaret married her fellow student Harry Clarke. They had three children. Margaret became the director of the Harry Clarke Stained Glass Studios following the death of her husband in 1931. Her work is in the National Gallery, the Hugh Lane, the Crawford in Cork, the Ulster Museum, Limerick City Gallery, the National Self Portrait Collection and the Irish College in Rome.
We wish all our readers a happy St. Patrick’s Day.