Stone Mad
Published on 17. April 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-78117-809-6 (ISBN)
Description
50th Anniversary Edition. Paperback.
'In the sharply formal conversations of the stonemen, the bittersweet flavour of provincial Ireland is presented with neither sentiment nor adornment.' -William Trevor, The Guardian
'The men who have gone before us have left us a heritage to be proud of; and we feel our own contribution has been for the good.' -Seamus Murphy, from the preface to Stone Mad.
In 'Stone Mad' Seamus Murphy tells the story of his seven years spent as an apprentice to the stone carving trade, the growing knowledge of the challenges and joys of stone - and of the men who worked it. His artistic feeling for the quality responded to his workmates' reverence for 'the well made thing'. The result is a book of surpassing beauty, full of warmth, humour and profound perception.
'In the sharply formal conversations of the stonemen, the bittersweet flavour of provincial Ireland is presented with neither sentiment nor adornment.' -William Trevor, The Guardian
'The men who have gone before us have left us a heritage to be proud of; and we feel our own contribution has been for the good.' -Seamus Murphy, from the preface to Stone Mad.
In 'Stone Mad' Seamus Murphy tells the story of his seven years spent as an apprentice to the stone carving trade, the growing knowledge of the challenges and joys of stone - and of the men who worked it. His artistic feeling for the quality responded to his workmates' reverence for 'the well made thing'. The result is a book of surpassing beauty, full of warmth, humour and profound perception.
Reviews / Votes
'A celebrated biography.' -- John Bowman * RTE Radio 1 * 'Seamus Murphy believed that people with talent would always find something worthwhile to do.' -- Marc O'Sullivan Vallig * Irish Examiner *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cork
Ireland
Dimensions
Height: 215 mm
Width: 135 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78117-809-6 (9781781178096)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Seamus Murphy (1907-1975) was an Irish sculptor born in Greenhill, near Mallow, Co. Cork. Educated at St Patrick's national school in Cork, his artistic talent was recognised early by his teacher Daniel Corkery. Murphy studied at the Crawford School of Art whilst apprenticing as an architectural stone-cutter. He honed his skills in Paris and later established his own stoneyard in Cork. Murphy became renowned for his portrait busts of public figures, religious commissions, and monuments, with works such as 'Virgin of the Twilight' earning high praise. A member of the RHA and professor of sculpture, Murphy was awarded an honorary LLD by the NUI and appointed to the Arts Council, cementing his status as a significant figure in 20th-century Irish art.