Margaret Clarke (Irish, 1888-1961) Portrait of Harry Clarke 54.6 x 39.8 cm. (21 1/2 x 15 5/8 in.) image 1

Margaret Clarke (Irish, 1888-1961) Portrait of Harry Clarke 54.6 x 39.8 cm. (21 1/2 x 15 5/8 in.) image 2

Lot 68

Margaret Clarke
(Irish, 1888-1961)
Portrait of Harry Clarke 54.6 x 39.8 cm. (21 1/2 x 15 5/8 in.)

The Irish Sale - Vision & Voice

17 – 28 November 2023, 14:00 GMT

Dublin

Sold for €51,200 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

Kieran O'Boyle

Head of Ireland & Northen Ireland

Tel: +353 1602 0990

[email protected]

Kevin Gaines

Senior Client Liaison

Tel: +353 1602 0990

[email protected]

Penny Day

Head of UK and Ireland

Tel: +44 20 7468 8366

[email protected]

Margaret Clarke (Irish, 1888-1961)

Portrait of Harry Clarke
signed 'M. Clarke' (lower right)
oil on canvas
54.6 x 39.8 cm. (21 1/2 x 15 5/8 in.)

Footnotes

Provenance
The Irish News Collection, Belfast

Clarke's portrait of her husband Harry conveys a sense of tenderness, sincerity, and a strong personal connection with sitter. The couple met as students at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art, married in 1914 and had three children together. Although they endured long periods of separation while Harry received treatment for tuberculosis in Switzerland, their letters attest to the love and respect the couple had for one another.

In this sensitive portrait, Clarke captures her husband's quiet charm and introspection, his large, dark eyes and graceful demeanour. A similar version on a larger scale, held in the National Gallery of Ireland, has a more experimental, decorative backdrop, suggestive of stained glass and a Romanesque arch. Entitled Posthumous portrait of Harry Clarke and dated circa 1931, the NGI portrait was based on a studio photograph taken by Lafayette's of Dublin, and on an earlier portrait executed by Clarke while visiting her husband in Davos.

Sadly, Harry Clarke passed away in January 1931, and in subsequent years Margaret Clarke dedicated much of her time to upholding her husband's legacy in her role as director of the Harry Clarke Studios.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories excluding Wine, Coins & Medals and Motor Cars and Motorcycles:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first €40,000 of the Hammer Price
27% from €40,001 to €800,000 of the Hammer Price
21% from €800,001 to €4,500,000 of the Hammer Price
14.5% on the excess over €4,500,000 of the Hammer Price
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 23% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges.
Collection Notices
All lots will be available to collect for 1 day only from City Assembly House on Wednesday 29th November 10am – 5pm.
Following that, all lots will be available to collect from 31 Molesworth Street, Dublin on Friday 1st December 9.30am – 5pm and the following week Monday 4th – Friday 8th 9.30am – 5pm inclusive. Lots not collected after this time may be removed to a third party storage facility and transport and storage charges may apply.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

Bid now on these items

Coming soon

Jessica Dismorr
(British, 1885-1939)
Self Portrait 55.4 x 40.1 cm. (21 3/4 x 15 3/4 in.)

£15,000 - £20,000

Coming soon

Vanessa Bell
(British, 1879-1961)
Church of the Redentore, Venice 38.3 x 55.9 cm. (15 x 22 in.)

£7,000 - £10,000

Coming soon

Dame Elisabeth Frink R.A.
(British, 1930-1993)
Warrior (Small Warrior) 36.4 cm. (14 3/8 in.) high

£15,000 - £20,000

Coming soon

Winifred Nicholson
(British, 1893-1981)
Flowers - Sutton Veny 76.2 x 68.6 cm. (30 x 27 in.)

£50,000 - £70,000

Coming soon

Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A.
(British, 1887-1976)
People at the Beach 31.3 x 40.4 cm. (12 3/8 x 16 1/8 in.)

Refer to department for estimates

Coming soon

Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A.
(British, 1887-1976)
Five Figures 26.5 x 18.2 cm. (10 3/8 x 7 1/4 in.)

Refer to department for estimates

Margaret Clarke(Irish, 1888-1961)Portrait of Harry Clarke 54.6 x 39.8 cm. (21 1/2 x 15 5/8 in.)

Own a similar item?

Looking for a similar item?

Ask about this lot

Kieran O'Boyle

Kevin Gaines

Penny Day

Margaret Clarke (Irish, 1888-1961)

Footnotes

Additional information

Auction information

Related Departments

Conditions of Sale

Bid now on these items

Jessica Dismorr(British, 1885-1939)Self Portrait 55.4 x 40.1 cm. (21 3/4 x 15 3/4 in.)

Vanessa Bell(British, 1879-1961)Church of the Redentore, Venice 38.3 x 55.9 cm. (15 x 22 in.)

Dame Elisabeth Frink R.A.(British, 1930-1993)Warrior (Small Warrior) 36.4 cm. (14 3/8 in.) high

Winifred Nicholson(British, 1893-1981)Flowers - Sutton Veny 76.2 x 68.6 cm. (30 x 27 in.)

Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A.(British, 1887-1976)People at the Beach 31.3 x 40.4 cm. (12 3/8 x 16 1/8 in.)

Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A.(British, 1887-1976)Five Figures 26.5 x 18.2 cm. (10 3/8 x 7 1/4 in.)

Margaret Clarke
(Irish, 1888-1961)
Portrait of Harry Clarke 54.6 x 39.8 cm. (21 1/2 x 15 5/8 in.)

Jessica Dismorr
(British, 1885-1939)
Self Portrait 55.4 x 40.1 cm. (21 3/4 x 15 3/4 in.)

Vanessa Bell
(British, 1879-1961)
Church of the Redentore, Venice 38.3 x 55.9 cm. (15 x 22 in.)

Dame Elisabeth Frink R.A.
(British, 1930-1993)
Warrior (Small Warrior) 36.4 cm. (14 3/8 in.) high

Winifred Nicholson
(British, 1893-1981)
Flowers - Sutton Veny 76.2 x 68.6 cm. (30 x 27 in.)

Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A.
(British, 1887-1976)
People at the Beach 31.3 x 40.4 cm. (12 3/8 x 16 1/8 in.)

Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A.
(British, 1887-1976)
Five Figures 26.5 x 18.2 cm. (10 3/8 x 7 1/4 in.)