This is perfect timing.

If you’re heading into town today to start some Christmas shopping, or you just fancy taking your lunch break early, you can be among the first in Cork to set eyes on the Crawford Gallery’s latest addition.

A magical illustration by Harry Clarke, said to be in exceptional condition, will be unveiled at noon on Friday.

Bought at auction from a private seller for the National Collection, The Colloquy of Monos and Una is a colour plate illustration for a 1923 edition of Edgar Allan Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination.

Crawford Art Gallery director Mary McCarthy and registrar Jean O’Donovan with the new work. Photo: Provision

“The richly coloured pencil, ink and watercolour work depicts lovers Monos and Una reunited in the afterlife, as in Poe’s classic tale: art deco influences can be seen in the elaborate clothing of the figures, while Clarke’s distinctive emphasis on eyes and elongated hands is evident.” an insider told us.

“The Colloquy of Monos and Una is the first Harry Clarke acquisition for Crawford Art Gallery since 1924, when two other illustrations from the same series, The Fall of the House of Usher and Marie Rogêt, were purchased alongside over 20 other pieces by Clarke.”

The new acquisition brings to 27 the number of Clarke artworks in Crawford Art Gallery’s collection, including the three earliest examples of his stained glass work, which were conserved in 2023 with support from the Heritage Council .

“Crawford Art Gallery continues to build its collection with acquisitions of contemporary and historical works of significance,” Crawford Art Gallery director Mary McCarthy said.

“We are truly delighted to have secured this exceptional work for the National Collection at Crawford Art Gallery and furthermore to be able to put it on display immediately.”