The Global Reach of Harry Clarke Studios – Glass Society of Ireland Lecture Series

The Harry Clarke Studios became one of the most important Irish art businesses of the 20th century. Paul Donnelly charts the growth globally.

In 1930 Harry Clarke renamed the church decoration and stained glass making firm he inherited from his father as ‘Harry Clarke Studios’. One of Clarke’s ambitions for the Studios was to expand his business beyond Ireland so that his name would achieve international recognition. Although he died in the following year, the Studios became one of the most important Irish art businesses of the twentieth century, continuing to operate under the same name for more than forty years. In that period the company produced hundreds of stained glass windows for patrons in Ireland and overseas. The largest market for its work was the United States where more than six hundred windows were commissioned for thirty-four churches. The majority of this stained glass is located in California, with other commissions coming from clients in Arizona, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. Drawing on information obtained from the Studios business archive held in the Library of Trinity College Dublin, this talk explores the extent of this artistic endeavour, how it was achieved and the practicalities involved in creating and delivering work over such long distances.

Paul Donnelly is a final year doctoral candidate at Trinity College Dublin. His research focuses on the stained glass produced by Harry Clarke Studios for American clients in mid-twentieth century. Paul’s interest is in the legacy of Harry Clarke and on how cultural, religious and economic developments both in Ireland and the United States impacted the Clarke Studios’ stained glass production. He is the recipient of research travel grants from the Terra Foundation for American Art and the Thomas Dammann Junior Memorial Trust. His publications include contributions to Harry Clarke and Artistic Visions of the New Irish State (Irish Academic Press, 2019) and Gazetteer of Irish Stained Glass (Irish Academic Press, 2021).

Free for GSOI Members, €11.09 for non-Members, reserve your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-global-reach-of-harry-clarke-studios-glass-society-of-ireland-lecture-tickets-272923771347