Evidence shows that Harry Clarke (1889-1931) probably executed this panel while attending the Metropolitan School of Art and is most certainly a working in glass for a larger design. The treatment of the saint's face, both technically and stylistically, the positioning and painting of his raised hand on the ancient jewelled tome, the attendant angels and the treatment of the glass, specially the use of double glazing in the upper left hand side, all bear the hallmarks of Clarke's early style during his 1910-1913 scholarship years.

The panel shows Clarke's understanding of the Arts & Crafts principles in stained glass and is an extraordinarily competent, assured student work. It fully justifies the reputation the Dublin School achieved for its stained glass notably through the work of the young Harry Clarke

Other comparable works by Clarke, which contributed to his winning the gold metal for stained glass three years in succession in the Board of Education National Competition in South Kensington, London, can be seen at the Crawford Gallery and in the National College of Art, Dublin

We are grateful to Dr. Nicola Gordon Bowe, author of The Life & Work of Harry Clarke and other studies on Irish Arts & Crafts Movement, for her help in preparing this catalogue entry