"A Light in the Darkness"

Probably the best way to start the cultural year in Dublin is to visit the traditional display of William Turner’s watercolours at the National Gallery of Ireland. “A light in the darkness” runs until the end of January only, due to a special demand by the Vaughan bequest in order to preserve the delicate watercolours and protect them from intense light exposure. This annual exhibition shows thirty-one works by one of the best landscape painters and watercolorist of all time. Of particular excellence is the animated watercolour, “The Doge’s Palace and Piazetta” from Turner’s last trip to Venice in 1840. In this watercolour, Turner showcases his ability to capture light and blend it with form to create a delicate atmosphere in order to portray the spirit of the city.

"Harry Clarke at the National Gallery of Ireland"

A few more days to enjoy the exhibition of Harry Clarke’s illustrations for Hans Christian Andersen’s “Fairy Tales” special edition of 1916 at the National Gallery of Ireland. Irish Artist Harry Clarke’s imaginative illustrations are a perfect match for Andersen’s ingenious stories. Nevertheless, they are unique masterworks in their own right. Each of the 10 illustrations eschews Art Nouveau through their richly coloured and ultra-detailed drawings. This makes the exhibition a second to none opportunity to closely appreciate such inventive watercolours, otherwise, partially lost during the printing processes.