Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. John Varley Ii (The Younger) died in 1933; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2003.
In context
A Bazaar — John Varley Ii (The Younger)
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 83 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of John Varley Ii (The Younger) (1850–1933) 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/john-varley-ii-the-younger-a-bazaar-9CW7DX-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Phthalo Green #33200f
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 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 16 works by this artist, of which 4 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
Born in London, United Kingdom
John Varley II (the Younger), born in London in 1850, was a British landscape painter who quietly established himself as a significant contributor to the Victorian artistic tradition. While overshadowed by his father, John Varley I – a celebrated Romantic artist known for his dramatic depictions of mountainous scenery – John Varley II carved out a distinctive path focused on meticulous observation and subtle tonal variations, reflecting the influence of Impressionism alongside the core tenets of British landscape painting.
Early Life & Training: Born into an artistic family, John Varley II received his initial training from his father, absorbing the Romantic spirit and mastering watercolour techniques that prioritized capturing atmospheric effects over precise detail. This formative experience instilled in him a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature and a commitment to portraying it with sensitivity.
Notable Works & Style: Varley II’s oeuvre comprises numerous landscapes predominantly featuring British coastal regions, particularly Cornwall and Dorset. His paintings are characterized by a restrained palette—often dominated by muted greens, blues, and browns—and an emphasis on capturing the nuances of light and shadow. Unlike his father's bolder brushstrokes, Varley II favored delicate washes and subtle gradations to convey mood and texture.
Influences & Connections: Though largely independent in his artistic vision, Varley II benefited from connections within the British art world. He admired artists like Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin, whose Impressionistic approach encouraged him to prioritize capturing fleeting moments of visual experience. Furthermore, he collaborated with William Blake on several illustrations for Blake’s poems, demonstrating a shared fascination with mythology and symbolism.
Achievements & Legacy: Varley II achieved considerable recognition during his lifetime, exhibiting extensively in London and establishing himself as a respected member of the Royal Watercolour Society. His paintings continue to be admired for their understated beauty and masterful execution—testaments to his dedication to capturing the essence of British landscapes with quiet grace.
Museum Collections: Several Varley II canvases reside in prominent museums across Europe, including The Museum of John Paul II Collection in Warsaw where you can admire “Dead Tree, Garibaldi Park” and “Night Ferry, Vancouver”. These artworks offer invaluable insights into the artistic sensibilities of the Victorian era and underscore Varley II’s enduring contribution to British art history.
For a deeper understanding of John Varley I's impact on his son’s artistic development, consider reading “John Varley I: Intimate Observation & the British Romantic Landscape.” This article delves into Blake’s collaboration with Varley I and examines how it shaped Varley II’s aesthetic sensibilities. You can also discover more about Varley II’s work through online resources like Wikipedia ("John Varley (painter)") and explore his landscapes in detail at sites such as AllPaintingsStore.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/john-varley-ii-the-younger-a-bazaar-9CW7DX-en/
Look closely
A Bazaar — John Varley Ii (The Younger)
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.
"A Bazaar" leans toward an ochre to sepia tone.
The copyright answer for "A Bazaar" by John Varley Ii (The Younger): the work is in the public domain - its copyright has expired. This determines whether reproductions of the image may be freely made.
The image of "A Bazaar" by John Varley Ii (The Younger) can be downloaded from the artwork's Download page: a high-resolution digital image download.