The Year's at the Spring 1920

Harry Clarke made this illustration, "The Year's at the Spring," using watercolor and ink on paper. Look at how he’s created this fantastical ship with its tall masts and billowing sails! I can only imagine what it might have been like for Clarke to create a scene so rich with detail. The ship teems with life – figures lounging on deck, sails patterned with checkerboards and intricate designs. The colors, while muted, are layered with detail. He must have been steeped in the lore of sailors and mythology to create something so alive. Notice the precise lines of the rigging juxtaposed with the soft washes of color in the sky and sea. There’s a sense of movement, as if the ship is gliding effortlessly through the water, propelled by the artist's imagination. His practice reminds me of Hilma af Klint whose art also transcends conventional representation, inviting us into a realm of dreams and symbols.