Art, Symbol & Imagination
The Miniature Theatre: Clarke’s Faust Preface Headpiece
A horned architectural frame encloses two grotesque figures facing one another above the word Preface. Small creatures crowd the base. The large mask at the top makes the enclosure itself appear alive. Patterned pillars and drooping curtains turn the opening into a miniature stage, while the two figures occupy it like performers. Clarke’s decoration belongs to the translator’s prefatory matter rather than a numbered scene.
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Citation
Harry Clarke. "The Miniature Theatre: Clarke’s Faust Preface Headpiece" [editorial title]. In Faust, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe; translated by Bayard Taylor; illustrations by Harry Clarke. Undated Arden Book Company edition; Faust Part One, Bayard Taylor translation, Harry Clarke illustrations, undated edition, Arden Book Company. Source scan leaf 17. Lumitheca. /gallery/image/faust-clarke-16
Source details
Editorial title and description. Source details from the Library catalogue.
Complete source design inspected individually. Editorial title; surrounding paper and unrelated text cropped away, integrated ornament retained. No tonal alteration.
Sources
From the book
FaustJohann Wolfgang von Goethe; translated by Bayard Taylor; illustrations by Harry ClarkeUndated editionMore from this book
The Haloed Mother and the Candle: Clarke’s Faust
The Giant Figure and the Candle: Clarke’s Faust
Faust and His Dark Companion: Harry Clarke’s PlateRelated illustrations
Cite this illustration
Harry Clarke. The Miniature Theatre: Clarke’s Faust Preface Headpiece. Faust. Scan leaf 17. Lumitheca. https://lumitheca.com/gallery/image/faust-clarke-16