Margaret Clarke (artist) facts for kids

Margaret Clarke (born Margaret Crilley; 1 August 1884 – 31 October 1961) was a talented Irish artist. She was especially known for painting portraits of people. She was also a member of the RHA, a famous art institution in Ireland.

Life of Margaret Clarke

Early Life and Education

Margaret Crilley was born in Newry, County Down, Ireland. Her birthday was 1 August 1884. She was one of six children in her family.

Margaret first studied at a technical school in Newry. She planned to become a teacher, just like her sister Mary. But in 1905, Margaret won a special scholarship. This allowed her to attend the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art.

At this art school, she learned from a famous artist named William Orpen. He thought Margaret was one of his most promising students. She finished her studies in 1911 and became an art teacher. She also worked as Orpen's assistant.

Marriage and Family Life

In 1914, Margaret married Harry Clarke. He was also an artist and had been her classmate. Their marriage surprised many people.

The couple moved into a flat in Dublin. They had three children together: Michael, David, and Ann. Interestingly, Harry's brother, Walter, married Margaret's sister, Mary, in 1915.

Later Life and Legacy

After her husband Harry passed away in 1931, Margaret took over his business. She became the director of the Harry Clarke Stained Glass Studios.

Margaret Clarke died in Dublin on 31 October 1961. She was buried in Redford cemetery in Greystones, County Wicklow. Today, a special blue plaque marks her birthplace in Newry. This plaque honors her memory and achievements.

Margaret Clarke's Artworks

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Exhibiting Her Work

Margaret Clarke first showed her art at the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1913. Over the next forty years, until 1953, she exhibited more than 60 artworks there. Most of these were portraits.

She received many requests to paint portraits of important people. These included Dermod O'Brien, President Éamon de Valera, and Archbishop McQuaid.

Margaret also spent a lot of time on the Aran Islands with her husband and another artist, Seán Keating. From these trips, she created many landscapes and smaller studies.

Artistic Style and Recognition

In 1939, an art critic wrote about Margaret's "remarkable drawings." The critic noted how she could capture a person's unique qualities with just a few quick lines.

Throughout her life, Margaret Clarke won many awards. She received gold, silver, and bronze medals in 1924. She also won another bronze medal in both 1928 and 1932.

She was elected an Associate of the Royal Hibernian Academy (ARHA) in 1926. The next year, in 1927, she became a full RHA member. When the Irish Exhibition of Living Art was started in 1943, she was chosen to be on its executive committee.

Where to See Her Art

You can find Margaret Clarke's paintings in many important art collections. These include the National Gallery of Ireland, The Hugh Lane in Dublin, and the Crawford Art Gallery. Her work is also in the Ulster Museum, Limerick City Gallery of Art, and The National Self-Portrait Collection of Ireland. Some of her art is even at the Irish College in Rome.

Exhibitions

In 2017, the National Gallery of Ireland held a special exhibition. This show helped people appreciate Margaret Clarke's amazing artistic talent even more.