Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Biasca

Name Class Date

charles john holmes, Biasca (1908). Public domain.

The facts

Artist
charles john holmes artsdot.com/en/artists/charles-john-holmes/
Artist’s dates
1868 – 1936
Painted
1908
Original size
46 x 82 cm

In context

Biasca — charles john holmes

How big is it?

The original measures 46 × 82 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, 1908

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: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/charles-john-holmes-biasca-AQS3KC-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Rosy Brown #bbb6a2

    Catalogued palette

    • #BBB6A2
    • #493D2E
    • #94988A
    • #606765
    Main colour name
    Rosy Brown
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Balanced Harmony 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
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    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 Biasca

    artsdot.com/en/art/download/charles-john-holmes-biasca-AQS3KC-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    holmes, charles john. Biasca. 1908, https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-john-holmes-biasca-AQS3KC-en/
    APA
    holmes, charles john (1908). Biasca [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-john-holmes-biasca-AQS3KC-en/
    Chicago
    charles john holmes. Biasca. 1908. https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-john-holmes-biasca-AQS3KC-en/
    Harvard
    holmes, charles john (1908) Biasca. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-john-holmes-biasca-AQS3KC-en/

    Look closely

    Biasca — 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. 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.
    4. charles john holmes was about 40 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.