Painting the Dales – the Art of Herbert F Royle
Though 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 Yorkshire landscape.
‘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.
Click on the photo to enlarge it.
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).
‘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.
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 paintings 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
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.
