Artwork
A Cleric
A Cleric is a paint painting by the Social Realist artist Margaret Cardew. It dates from 1939 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work, executed in 1939, is a portrait of a man in a dark suit and white clerical collar, set against an unadorned dark background.
About this work
This painting shows a man in a dark suit and white clerical collar. His face is serious, almost tired. The background is plain and dark too.
Margaret Cardew painted this in 1939. The man might be Frederic Cardew, who ran a Paris club for struggling theatre girls. He was friends with someone who ran a similar club in London.
Look for this painting at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
The work, executed in 1939, is a portrait of a man in a dark suit and white clerical collar, set against an unadorned dark background. The figure’s expression is solemn, conveying a sense of fatigue. The painting is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is identified as Frederic Cardew, a cleric who, during the 1930s, managed a residential club in Paris for theatre women facing financial hardship. His involvement in charitable work for performers informs the portrait’s understated, dignified tone.
Technique & Style
Rendered in oil on canvas, the artist employs a restrained palette of muted tones, emphasizing the contrast between the white clerical collar and the surrounding darkness. The brushwork is smooth, focusing attention on the sitter’s face and attire rather than decorative details.
History & Provenance
Painted by Margaret Cardew in 1939, the portrait entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Theatre Collections, catalogued as S.819-1991. It remains in the museum’s holdings, accessible to the public as part of its theatre‑related artworks.
Artist & collection
Artist
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