The Life and Work of Richard King: Religion, Nationalism and Modernism

by Ruth Sheehy, Eamon Maher (Editor)

Overview

This book on the Irish liturgical artist Richard King (1907-74), examines his career in the context of religion, nationalism and modernism. The book focuses on the interdisciplinary relationship between religion and art during pre- and post-Vatican II Ireland. The importance of Irishness and nationalism is shown by the artist’s early secular work of the 1930s and 1940s. His apprenticeship under Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was pivotal for his principal career as a stained glass artist. However, his departure from the Harry Clarke Stained Glass Studios in 1940 allowed him to gradually move away from Clarke’s influence and to develop his own artistic identity. King was also a talented illustrator for The Capuchin Annual and The Father Mathew Record. From the late 1940s to the early 1970s, his awareness of the work of other artists in Ireland, England and Europe led him to engage with modernism. The Documents of Vatican II and his interest in the Scriptures and theology enabled King to grow at the spiritual level which was reflected in his religious art of the mid to late 1960s and early 1970s. His study of the theological writings of French palaeontologist, philosopher and theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) was crucial for King’s more intellectual approach to matters of Christian faith.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781787072466
Publisher:	Peter Lang Ltd, International Academic Publishers
Publication date:	12/19/2019
Series:	Reimagining Ireland , #92
Pages:	494
Product dimensions:	5.91(w) x 8.86(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ruth Sheehy is an art historian who has been employed as Slide and Photographic Librarian in the Department of the History of Art and Architecture at Trinity College Dublin since 1979. She has been working on the art of Richard King since 1989 when she undertook to catalogue his illustrations for The Capuchin Annual in the Irish Capuchin Provincial Archives, Church Street, Dublin 7. In March, 2007, Sheehy was awarded her MLitt for her thesis. The Religious Art of Richard King in Ireland: 1933-73 from the School of Art History and Cultural Policy at University College Dublin. This MLitt thesis has formed the basis for her book on King. Sheehy's research has principally focused on the relationship between art and theology/spirituality. She has given lectures and published articles on Richard King's illustrations for The Capuchin Annual and on his religious art in different media in Ireland and abroad.

Table of Contents

List of Figures ix

Acknowledgements xxix

List of abbreviations xxxv

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Birth and Education in Mayo, 1907-1927. Artistic Training in Dublin Metropolitan School of Art, 1927-1933. Apprenticeship under Harry Clarke, 1918-1930. Early Stained Glass Windows, 1950-1934- 11

Chapter 2 King's Talents Flourish in Stained Glass, Opal Glass, Stamp Designs and Black and White Illustration, 1934-1940 67

Chapter 3 The Capuchin Annual and The Father Mathew Record, 1940-1948. Retrospective Exhibition at the Victor Waddington Gallery, Dublin, 1948 123

Chapter 4 The Stained Glass Studio. Modernising the Religious Image. Commissions for Ireland and Overseas, 1948-1959 181

Chapter 5 Vatican II and Liturgical Reform. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Theological and Artistic Maturity, 1960-1965 253

Chapter 6 Culmination of Kings achievement in Stained Glass, Enamels and Illustrations. Death, Tributes and Legacy, 1965-1974 309

Appendix List of All Documented Work by Richard King in Ireland and Overseas 379

Bibliography 415

Index 425