Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Whernside

charles john holmes, 1917

Name Class Date
charles john holmes, Whernside (1917). Public domain.

The facts

Artist
charles john holmes topimpressionists.com/en/artists/charles-john-holmes/
Artist’s dates
1868 – 1936
Painted
1917
Original size
69 x 76 cm
Movement
Impressionism Painters working fast and outdoors to catch how light actually looked at one moment, rather than finishing smoothly in a studio.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. charles john holmes died in 1936; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2006.

Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Aug. 27, 2026

Whernside — charles john holmes Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Whernside — charles john holmes

How big is it?

The original measures 69 × 76 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1860
  2. 1870
  3. 1880
  4. 1890
  5. 1900
  6. 1910
  7. 1920
  8. 1930

Shaded: the lifetime of charles john holmes (1868–1936) ▲ this work, 1917

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/charles-john-holmes-whernside-AQS3KA-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Rosy Brown #9d958f

    Catalogued palette

    • #9D958F
    • #3D3737
    • #CFD8DC
    • #615D60
    Main colour name
    Rosy Brown
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Balanced How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Discordant Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Aug. 27, 2026

    Whernside — charles john holmes Part 2 · In context

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    charles john holmes

    early life and education

    charles john holmes, a multifaceted figure in the art world, was born on november 11, 1868, in preston, lancashire. he attended eton college from 1883 and later attained a scholarship to brasenose college, oxford in 1887.

    career highlights

    holmes' career is marked by several notable positions:

    slade professor of fine art at oxford university (1904-1910)

    co-editor of the burlington magazine (1904-1909)

    director of the national portrait gallery (1909-1916)

    director of the national gallery (1916-1928)

    artistic contributions and style

    holmes' writing on art combined theory with practice, making him an expert on the painting techniques of the old masters. his own artistic style, though not widely documented, reflects his deep understanding of various art movements.

    the ribble, near clitheroe (before 1936), a drawing and watercolor piece showcasing his skill in capturing landscapes.

    steelworks (1918), another drawing and watercolor work, demonstrates his ability to portray industrial scenes with finesse.

    view more artworks by charles john holmes on AllPaintingsStore.com

    legacy and impact

    charles john holmes left an indelible mark on the art world, not only through his own creations but also through his contributions to the national gallery and his role in shaping the art historical narrative of his time.

    explore more about charles john holmes' life and work on wikipedia

    discover the national gallery's collection, featuring works by charles john holmes and other notable artists, on AllPaintingsStore.com

    learn more about the national portrait gallery, where holmes served as director, on AllPaintingsStore.com

    charles john holmes's life serves as a reminder of the profound influence one individual can have on the world of art. his legacy continues to inspire, educate, and captivate audiences worldwide.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Whernside

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/charles-john-holmes-whernside-AQS3KA-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    holmes, charles john. Whernside. 1917, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/charles-john-holmes-whernside-AQS3KA-en/
    APA
    holmes, charles john (1917). Whernside [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/charles-john-holmes-whernside-AQS3KA-en/
    Chicago
    charles john holmes. Whernside. 1917. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/charles-john-holmes-whernside-AQS3KA-en/
    Harvard
    holmes, charles john (1917) Whernside. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/charles-john-holmes-whernside-AQS3KA-en/

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Aug. 27, 2026

    Whernside — charles john holmes Part 3 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Whernside — charles john holmes

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: rolling hills landscape, atmospheric perspective, british countryside”. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Farmyard at Soberton, Surrey (1923), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Impressionism: Painters working fast and outdoors to catch how light actually looked at one moment, rather than finishing smoothly in a studio. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.