Broken Tones of the Primaries – James Ward Print

Your grandmother's sitting room in Cork had colour like this—not loud, but alive.

Broken Tones of the Primaries and Their Complementaries

Ward dissolves red, blue and yellow into soft, interlocking shapes that dance without clashing. Created in 1912, this work sits at the heart of early Irish modernism, when artists were breaking free from realism into pure colour and form. This is your chance to bring home a piece of the moment Irish art found its own voice.

About the Artist

James Ward (1851–1924) was a Dublin-born painter and teacher who shaped Irish art education for decades. He studied in Paris and London but chose to root himself in Ireland, where he championed progressive colour theory and mentored generations of artists. Ward believed colour itself could speak emotion without needing a story. His work bridges the gap between Victorian painting and modern abstraction.

Why This Print?

• Held in Irish public collections; a foundational work of Irish modernism
• Shows how colour creates feeling—no subject needed, just pure harmony
• A subtle way to honour the Irish artists who dared to see differently

Collector's Edition Quality

• Archival giclee inks — gallery-grade, fade-resistant, built to last a lifetime
• Heavyweight museum paper — off-white, uncoated, with exceptional colour depth
• FSC-certified frames — oak, ash or black hardwood, ready to hang
• Colour-verified against the original for accuracy
• 30-day quality guarantee

Shipping

Free worldwide shipping from Ireland. Tracked, securely packaged, delivered in 2-5 business days.