Selected Poems of Algernon Charles Swinburne (1928). Edited by Wolfe Humbert with illustrations by Harry Clarke

Selected Poems of Algernon Charles Swinburne, published in 1928 by John Lane, London, brings together some of the most evocative and sensuous verse of one of Victorian England’s most controversial and musical poets. Edited by Wolfe Humbert, this edition presents a carefully curated selection from Swinburne’s vast poetic output, highlighting his lyrical mastery, classical references, and exploration of themes such as love, beauty, liberty, and death.

Swinburne’s poetry is known for its musicality, bold subject matter, and rich allusions to classical antiquity and mythology. His work, though once scandalous for its sensual and atheistic tones, is now appreciated for its aesthetic innovation and influence on the Symbolist and Decadent movements. This 1928 volume showcases poems from major collections such as Poems and Ballads, Songs Before Sunrise, and Tristram of Lyonesse, offering readers a refined glimpse into his most enduring works.

The true visual distinction of this edition lies in its illustrations by Harry Clarke, the celebrated Irish artist. Known for his dark, ornate style and stunning attention to detail, Clarke brings Swinburne’s verse to life with a dreamlike and sometimes eerie beauty. The volume includes Clarke’s signature black-and-white illustrations—elegant, gothic, and deeply expressive. Each image harmonizes with the tone of the poetry, whether evoking ethereal melancholy, romantic longing, or mythic grandeur.

Harry Clarke (1889–1931): Master Illustrator
Ireland’s most celebrated stained-glass artist and book illustrator, Clarke brought his unique blend of Symbolist and Art Nouveau aesthetics to this Swinburne edition. A graduate of Dublin’s Metropolitan School of Art, he achieved fame through his illustrations for Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1919) and Goethe’s Faust (1925). His work is characterized by exquisite detail, flowing organic forms, and a haunting, sometimes macabre beauty. Though tuberculosis cut short his brilliant career, Clarke left an indelible mark on both the Irish Arts and Crafts movement and the world of fine press books. His stained glass windows, particularly those in Dublin’s Bewley’s Café and Honan Chapel, remain national treasures.

For the discerning collector:

• The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen illustrated by Harry Clarke (1916) – showcases his early color work
• Salomé by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by Aubrey Beardsley (1894) – the quintessential Decadent pairing
• Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire, illustrated by Carlos Schwabe (1900) – a Symbolist counterpart

Other books illustrated by the great Harry Clarke are also available for perusal in our gallery: Faust, The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault, Tales of Mystery and Imagination, Andersen’s Fairy Tales, Year’s at the Spring.

Art Gallery: Harry Clarke – Selected Poems of Charles Swinburne 1928