Margaret Clarke (Irish, 1888-1961) The Haircut 76.2 x 61 cm. (30 x 24 in.) (Painted in 1927) image 1

Margaret Clarke (Irish, 1888-1961) The Haircut 76.2 x 61 cm. (30 x 24 in.) (Painted in 1927) image 2

Lot 69

Margaret Clarke
(Irish, 1888-1961)
The Haircut 76.2 x 61 cm. (30 x 24 in.)

The Irish Sale - Vision & Voice

17 – 28 November 2023, 14:00 GMT

Dublin

Sold for €25,600 inc. premium

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Margaret Clarke (Irish, 1888-1961)

The Haircut
signed 'M.CLARKE.' (lower left)
oil on panel
76.2 x 61 cm. (30 x 24 in.)
Painted in 1927

Footnotes

Provenance
The Irish News Collection, Belfast

Exhibited
Dublin, The Frederick Gallery, David Clarke Retrospective, September 2000, cat.no.61
Dublin, The Frederick Gallery, The Christmas Show 2003, cat.no.8
London, The British Artists Exhibition (as The Wife)
Dublin, National Gallery of Ireland, Margaret Clarke: An Independent Spirit, 2017

The Haircut – also referred to as The Wife – is a striking example of Clarke's imaginative expression.

The enigmatic painting casts Julia O'Brien – her housekeeper and childminder – and Julia's brother Dan in the incongruous roles of husband and wife. The sense of artifice is heightened by the shallow backdrop of drapery; the use of dramatic lighting and strong colour contrasts; and the angular, theatrical poses of the sitters. Her pyramidal composition places the wife in a dominant position at the apex, looming over the seated husband.

Clarke evidently found inspiration in the art of the past, and curator Niamh MacNally has suggested that the woman's commanding position, with scissors in hand, evokes the popular art historical subject of Judith beheading Holofernes.

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Margaret Clarke(Irish, 1888-1961)The Haircut 76.2 x 61 cm. (30 x 24 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)
The Haircut 76.2 x 61 cm. (30 x 24 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.)