Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Geraniums

Name Class Date

Emily Beatrice Bland, Geraniums (1917). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Emily Beatrice Bland topimpressionists.com/en/artists/emily-beatrice-bland/
Artist’s dates
1864 – 1951
Painted
1917
Original size
61 x 46 cm

In context

Geraniums — Emily Beatrice Bland

How big is it?

The original measures 61 × 46 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
  9. 1940
  10. 1950

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 87 at death.

Painted when the artist was 53. The artist lived to 87. 0 of the 11 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Emily Beatrice Bland (1864–1951) ▲ this work, 1917 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1931 Main working years: 1931–1938 Late works: from 1938

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

  • The Bouquet topimpressionists.com/en/art/emily-beatrice-bland-the-bouquet-AQVB3M-en/
  • View from Vence, 1933 topimpressionists.com/en/art/emily-beatrice-bland-view-from-vence-AQVB2X-en/
  • Wild Flowers topimpressionists.com/en/art/emily-beatrice-bland-wild-flowers-AQVB3K-en/

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/emily-beatrice-bland-geraniums-AQVB2R-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Phthalo Green #141b1b

    Catalogued palette

    • #141B1B
    • #835634
    • #E81C15
    • #DF907A

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Dark The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Phthalo Green
    Intensity
    Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Clear Color Presence How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Emily Beatrice Bland over the last twelve months — 3 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 57.1%
    2. 2 Singapore 28.6%
    3. 3 United Kingdom 14.3%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 6 most looked-at works by Emily Beatrice Bland

    1. 1 View from Vence, 1933 28.6%
    2. 2 Spring 28.6%
    3. 3 Dover Cliffs 14.3%
    4. 4 Flowers in Sunlight, 1935 14.3%
    5. 5 Harbour Scene 14.3%
    6. — Geraniums, 1917 this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 20 works by this artist, of which 5 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Emily Beatrice Bland

    Emily Beatrice Bland: A Quiet Master of English Light

    Emily Beatrice Bland, born in Lincoln in 1864 and passing away peacefully in London in 1951, remains a quietly significant figure within the landscape art world of late Victorian and early twentieth-century Britain. Often overshadowed by her more flamboyant contemporaries, Bland’s meticulous observation and subtle mastery of light and color have earned her a deserved place amongst the esteemed artists represented in the Tate Gallery collection – a testament to the enduring beauty she captured on canvas.

    Her artistic journey began with formal training at the Lincoln School of Art, followed by a period at the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art under the tutelage of Henry Tonks and Fred Brown. This grounding provided her with a solid foundation in technique and an understanding of academic principles, yet Bland quickly developed a distinctive style that leaned towards Impressionism, prioritizing atmospheric effects and capturing fleeting moments of natural beauty. Unlike many artists of her era who sought grand, dramatic landscapes, Bland’s focus was on the intimate details of the English countryside – the dappled light through orchard trees, the quiet stillness of a rural lane, the delicate hues of wildflowers in bloom.

    Early Works and Influences

    Bland's early career unfolded amidst a vibrant artistic scene. She debuted with “Chrysanthemums” at the Royal Academy in 1890, marking her initial foray into the public eye. Her work quickly gained recognition, leading to consistent exhibitions at prominent venues such as the New English Art Club and the Leicester Galleries. Notably, she was elected a member of the New English Art Club in 1926, a significant achievement for an artist working primarily outside the mainstream artistic circles.

    Her artistic influences are complex and layered. While clearly rooted in the Impressionist movement – particularly the work of Monet and Pissarro – Bland’s style also reflects her Lincolnshire upbringing. The rolling hills, fertile farmland, and abundant flora of her native region provided a constant source of inspiration. Furthermore, she was deeply influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites, evident in her careful attention to detail and her romanticized depiction of rural life. The delicate brushstrokes and luminous color palettes of artists like Millais and Rossetti can be subtly detected within Bland’s compositions.

    Landscapes and Still Lifes: A Dual Focus

    Bland's oeuvre is characterized by a remarkable duality – a simultaneous exploration of expansive landscapes and intimate still lifes. She produced numerous stunning landscape paintings, often depicting scenes from her travels across England and Europe. “Yachts at Lymington” (1938), currently held in the Tate Gallery collection, exemplifies this skill perfectly; it captures the shimmering light on the water and the vibrant energy of a coastal resort with remarkable precision. The painting’s visible brushstrokes and atmospheric perspective create a sense of immediacy and transport the viewer to that very moment.

    However, Bland was equally adept at portraying still lifes, particularly floral arrangements. These works are characterized by their delicate beauty and meticulous detail. “Farmhouse in Lincolnshire” (1946) showcases her ability to capture the subtle nuances of color and texture – the velvety petals of roses, the rough bark of a tree trunk, the warm glow of sunlight filtering through the windows. These paintings offer a quiet contemplation on the beauty of everyday objects and the rhythms of rural life.

    Legacy and Recognition

    Despite her consistent output and critical acclaim, Emily Beatrice Bland’s legacy has often been understated. She was largely overlooked during her lifetime, overshadowed by more commercially successful artists. However, in recent decades, there has been a growing appreciation for her unique artistic vision and technical skill. Her work is now recognized as an important contribution to the development of English landscape painting, particularly within the Impressionist tradition.

    Today, several of Bland’s paintings are held in prestigious collections, including the Tate Gallery, testament to her enduring appeal. Her art continues to resonate with viewers who appreciate her quiet elegance, her masterful use of light and color, and her profound connection to the English countryside. Emily Beatrice Bland's legacy is one of understated brilliance – a reminder that beauty can be found in the most unassuming of subjects, captured with skill, sensitivity, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Geraniums

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/emily-beatrice-bland-geraniums-AQVB2R-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Bland, Emily Beatrice. Geraniums. 1917, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/emily-beatrice-bland-geraniums-AQVB2R-en/
    APA
    Bland, Emily Beatrice (1917). Geraniums [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/emily-beatrice-bland-geraniums-AQVB2R-en/
    Chicago
    Emily Beatrice Bland. Geraniums. 1917. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/emily-beatrice-bland-geraniums-AQVB2R-en/
    Harvard
    Bland, Emily Beatrice (1917) Geraniums. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/emily-beatrice-bland-geraniums-AQVB2R-en/

    Look closely

    Geraniums — Emily Beatrice Bland

    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. Look back at The Bouquet, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. Emily Beatrice Bland was about 53 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    Your response

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

    Questions & Answers

    Are the colors of "Geraniums" by Emily Beatrice Bland vivid or muted?

    The colors of "Geraniums" by Emily Beatrice Bland show a clear color presence saturation with a vivid intensity.

    Is "Geraniums" by Emily Beatrice Bland a bright or a dark artwork?

    Overall, "Geraniums" is recorded as shadow. Perceived brightness describes how light or dark the work appears.

    How is the color composition of "Geraniums" by Emily Beatrice Bland built?

    The color analysis of "Geraniums" by Emily Beatrice Bland records a statement contrast and a strong color unity harmony.