Joyce, Lucia | A charming work, demonstrating Lucia's artistry

Joyce, Lucia

Three calligraphic letters, intricately executed, as stylized lettrines

Appliqué (approximately 106 x 153 mm). Ink, watercolor, and acrylic pen on paper, heightened with silver; some yellowing and chipping to calligraphic letters, presumable where adhesive was used for appliqué purposes.  

Lucia Joyce was the daughter of James Joyce and Nora Barnacle. Once treated by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, Joyce was diagnosed as schizophrenic in the mid-1930s, and resided in institutions for the remainder of her life. Before the full onset of her illness, Lucia had enjoyed a career as a professional dancer, but James Joyce believed that the intense physical training caused undue stress, which, in turn, exacerbated the already fraught relations between Lucia and Nora. As an alternative artistic outlet, James persuaded Lucia to take up drawing lettrines to illustrate his prose. 

A charming work, demonstrating Lucia's artistic pursuits.