Painting the landscape – the Art of Herbert F Royle

 

Born near Manchester and with strong connections to the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, where he exhibited annually for fifty years from 1894, much of Royle’s art is rooted in the landscapes of Lancanshire and nearby Yorkshire.

'Winter, Beamsley Beacon' (1938) by Herbert F Royle, in The Mercer Art Gallery

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

‘Winter, Beamsley Beacon’ by Herbert F Royle
Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate

This lovely painting shows the view towards Beamsley Beacon, located on the top of Howber Hill in the Yorkshire Dales. Strongly impressionistic in style, it is a good example of the scenes for which landscape artist Herbert F Royle was well-known during his lifetime. Snow scenes like this one were purchased by Christmas-card producers, bringing his artwork into the homes of people across the country. 

In 1918, Royle moved across the Pennines to live near Bolton Abbey, before settling in a small hamlet near Ilkley. From there, he would cycle through the Dales to paint outdoors, regardless of the weather. Royle was known to take a ‘hot potato’ on his cycles, both to warm his hands and to provide lunchtime sustenance. Painting outside, or ‘en plein air’, was pioneered by French Impressionist artists whose quick painting style helped them capture the changing light and fleeting moments. Their methods influenced future generations of artists, including in Britain.

 

Exploring the painting

In ‘Winter, Beamsley Beacon’, painted in 1938, Royle evoked the colours of the winter light on the hillside, the long winter shadows and the bright sky, hopeful after a snowfall. In the foreground, a scene of rural life is captured, showing a person, a small group of sheep and a larger animal grouped together.

Today, the hill remains popular with walkers in the area and, with its trig point, is a recognisable landmark. This painting measures 62 cm (h) x 75cm (w). 

Activity – explore subject matter, perspective and depth in ‘Winter, Beamsley Beacon’

‘View from Hill Top, Starbotton’ by Herbert F Royle
Craven Museum and Gallery, Skipton

You can see another local scene, this time from Craven Museum and Gallery collection, in ‘View from Hill Top, Starbotton’, this time in a warmer season. The view is facing down the hill, whilst ‘Winter, Beamsley Beacon’ focuses upwards. Can you see the impressionistic sky? Look closely at the light touches of paint to show the movement of the stream in the foreground.

This painting is in oil on canvas and measures 49.5cm (h) x 60cm (w).

 

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

‘Hay Harvesting’ by Herbert F. Royle
Tameside Museums and Galleries, The Astley Cheetham Art Collection

This small rural scene is from The Astley Cheetham Art Collection in Tameside. With strongly impressionistic brushstrokes, Royle captures the light and shadows of a summer day.

A group of horses and workers move in the direction of the viewer, with a large cart laden with freshly-cut hay. In their dark clothing, two of the workers almost merge into the shadows. One of them is carrying a tool, perhaps a rake for manipulating the hay.

Another leads the front horse. What do you think of his gesture? Does it look gentle, weary or something else? What do you make of the person on top of the hay?

This painting is in oil on canvas and measures 30cm (h) x 40cm (w).

 

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Talking Points

Have you ever looked at a landscape in snow? Do you think Herbert F Royle captured it accurately?

Why do you think it was important to the artist that he painted outside, even braving the weather?

Why wouldn’t you recommend that someone goes cycling in snow? What are the dangers?

Why do you think communities got ‘cut off’ more frequently by snow in the 1930s than they do today?

Look closely at the grouped figure and sheep in the foreground. Why do you think those figures are there?

Impressionist-style artwork is often seen as a contrast to realism which aims to recreate a scene perfectly. Impressionist works often capture a feeling. What feeling do the two paintings create for you? 

Which of the two Yorkshire scenes do you prefer? Why?

Vocabulary

Foreground: the part of the scene that is nearest to the viewer. When trying to create perspective, the objects in the foreground are painted larger than those in the background. 

 

In the Classroom 

Hotseat

Interview a student in role as the shepherd on the hillside about seeing Herbert F Royle creating art in the snow. Was it a surprise to see an artist out that day?

Roleplay

In pairs, practise a scene where a concerned relative tries to persuade Herbert Royle not to go cycling in the snow. Explain the potential dangers and risks to him.

Think about Design Choices

Do you think this painting would make a good Christmas card today – would it still sell well, nearly a century after it was originally created? Why / Why not?

In pairs or small groups, roleplay trying to convince staff at a greetings card company to stock this Christmas card. What feedback will the card company give? Will they agree or not? 

 

 

Hands on History

A number of northern galleries have artwork by Herbert F Royle within their collections. 

The Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate has a changing programme of exhibitions which are free to access. Click on the pins on the maps to find out more about The Mercer Art Gallery or Craven Museum & Gallery.

Find out more about the collection in Tameside on their website.

You can find more landscapes of Yorkshire at galleries across the county, including Scarborough Art Gallery and Pannett Art Gallery.

Students from Key Stages 1 and 2 can try out ‘Drawing from Nature’ at Scarborough Art Gallery.  

Skip to content