Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. George Hyde Pownall died in 1932; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2002.
In context
Piccadilly Circus — George Hyde Pownall
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 56 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of George Hyde Pownall (1876–1932) every dated painting, decade by decade
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
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/george-hyde-pownall-piccadilly-circus-9DH4HC-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Espresso #3e3128
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
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.
Together these works take 99.8% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 15 works by this artist, of which 9 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 4 of them, with 8.3% of that attention. 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
George Hyde Pownall was a painter of evocative London Street scenes, often at night. Like many artists of the period very little is known of his career, although he is known to have painted very attractive, usually small pictures of London. He painted in the tradition of John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-1893) and James Abbott McNeil Whistler, PRBA (1834-1903) combining the effects of fine detail with the loose manner of impressionism. Born in England during a period of great cultural change, Hyde-Pownall grew to demonstrate a marked awareness of the burgeoning technology and industrialization that spread throughout his country’s metropolitan centers. He frequented London’s most lively intersections producing works that captured the glowing lights, omni-buses and thrill of Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and Hyde Park. He also offered a number of striking views from the Thames River that incorporated London’s famous landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Hyde Pownall had the great gift of painting atmospheric views at a time when both the horse and motorcar were commonplace and the streets of London were lit by gaslight. He also worked in Australia, and examples by him are in the Melbourne City Council.
Early Life & Training:
Little is recorded of Hyde-Pownall’s formative years.
Hyde Pownall's paintings suggest that he traveled to Australia where he created views of Melbourne, perhaps during the years 1911 – 1930. Today, the artist’s works can be found in the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne. He painted many of the high spots of London such as the Law Courts in Chancery Lane, along the Thames, St Paul’s and the Café Royal in Regents Street, often frequented by the likes of Oscar Wilde and other literary dandies of the fashionable set. Hyde Pownall had the great gift of painting atmospheric views at a time when both the horse and motorcar were commonplace and the streets of London were lit by gaslight. He also worked in Australia, and examples by him are in the Melbourne City Council.
Notable Works:
"Westminster": An impressionistic landscape featuring Big Ben & sailing boats. Oil on canvas, warm tones, and visible brushstrokes capture a fleeting moment in time. Located at Westminster.
"Eaton Square": An exquisite impressionistic painting of a river scene with a majestic cathedral silhouette. Hand-painted reproductions available.
Hyde Pownall’s paintings combine the effects of fine detail with the loose manner of impressionism. He painted many of the high spots of London such as the Law Courts in Chancery Lane, along the Thames, St Paul’s and the Café Royal in Regents Street, often frequented by the likes of Oscar Wilde and other literary dandies of the fashionable set. Hyde Pownall had the great gift of painting atmospheric views at a time when both the horse and motorcar were commonplace and the streets of London were lit by gaslight. He also worked in Australia, and examples by him are in the Melbourne City Council.
Influences:
Grimshaw & Whistler: Hyde Pownall’s artistic vision was shaped by the luminist painters John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-1893) and James Abbott McNeil Whistler, PRBA (1834-1903).
Hyde Pownall’s works are held in the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne. He painted many of the high spots of London such as the Law Courts in Chancery Lane, along the Thames, St Paul’s and the Café Royal in Regents Street, often frequented by the likes of Oscar Wilde and other literary dandies of the fashionable set. Hyde Pownall had the great gift of painting atmospheric views at a time when both the horse and motorcar were commonplace and the streets of London were lit by gaslight. He also worked in Australia, and examples by him are in the Melbourne City Council.
George Daniell Museum: Explore George Daniell Museum in Miami Beach! Discover iconic black-and-white photography of Hollywood stars & artists like Georgia O’Keeffe. Vibrant culture, captivating exhibits.
The Hyde Collection Art Museum and Historic Home: Explore art & history at The Hyde Collection! Discover Old Masters, American art, and the stunning historic Hyde House in Glens Falls, NY. A unique museum experience awaits!
Questroyal Fine Art: George Hyde-Pownall - Questroyal Fine Art
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/george-hyde-pownall-piccadilly-circus-9DH4HC-en/
Look closely
Piccadilly Circus — George Hyde Pownall
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
"Piccadilly Circus" by George Hyde Pownall is recorded with a muted saturation and a monochromatic intensity.
In terms of perceived brightness, "Piccadilly Circus" by George Hyde Pownall is deep_shadow.
A slideshow is available: the Diaporama page of "Piccadilly Circus" by George Hyde Pownall.