Back of the Granary, PolandRobert Polhill Bevan · 1904
Acrylic On Canvas- WallArt
- Post-Impressionism
1904
34.0 x 40.0 cm
Swindon Art Gallery
Back of the Granary, Poland – A Study in Color and Light
Robert Polhill Bevan’s “Back of the Granary,” painted in 1904, stands as a testament to the burgeoning Fauvist movement within British art. More than just a depiction of rural Poland—a landscape imbued with the quiet dignity of the countryside—the painting embodies Bevan's unwavering commitment to capturing immediate sensory experience, prioritizing color and light above meticulous realism. This bold stylistic choice reflects a significant departure from Impressionism’s focus on atmospheric subtlety, signaling a move toward expressive abstraction that would resonate powerfully with artists across Europe.- Subject Matter: The artwork portrays a simple yet evocative scene – the rear façade of a granary nestled amongst mature trees. Bevan eschews grand vistas or dramatic narratives, opting instead for a concentrated portrayal of domestic tranquility.
- Style & Technique: Bevan’s masterful brushwork is characterized by thick impasto—a technique where paint is applied in textured layers—creating palpable physicality and enhancing the vibrancy of the colors. He employs a palette dominated by intense hues – predominantly reds, yellows, and blues – deliberately rejecting naturalistic tones to convey emotion rather than objective representation.
- Historical Context: Painted during a period of artistic experimentation and intellectual ferment, “Back of the Granary” aligns itself with the broader Fauvist movement spearheaded by Henri Matisse and André Derain. Artists like Bevan sought to liberate color from its subservient role in depicting light and shadow, asserting it as an independent expressive element.
Robert Polhill Bevan (1865 – 1925)
Robert Polhill Bevan (1865-1925): British painter & Camden Town Group founder. Pioneer of Fauvism, known for vibrant landscapes and scenes of everyday life.
Swindon Art Gallery (Swindon, United Kingdom)
Delve into British modernism at Swindon Art Gallery! Featuring iconic artists like Lowry & Nicholson, explore diverse media and discover the H.J.P Bomford Collection within Swindon's Civic Offices.
About this artwork
- Title: Back of the Granary, Poland
- Artist: Robert Polhill Bevan
- Year: 1904
- Original dimensions: 34.0 x 40.0 cm
- Format: Landscape
- Copyright status: Public domain
- Where to see it: Swindon Art Gallery
- Creative period: Mature Period
- Corpus context: camden town group vision, artistic experimentation
- Purpose: Accent
Quick Facts
- Title: Back of the Granary, Poland
- Location: Private Collection
- Artistic style: Fauvist
- Dimensions: 34 x 40 cm
- Medium: Oil on Canvas
- Influences: Impressionism
- Year: 1904
Questions & Answers
How is "Back of the Granary, Poland" recommended to be printed - what size, what orientation?
A print of "Back of the Granary, Poland" by Robert Polhill Bevan is recommended at a large size in landscape orientation.
What luminance does "Back of the Granary, Poland" by Robert Polhill Bevan have?
"Back of the Granary, Poland" by Robert Polhill Bevan has a soft shadow luminance. Luminance describes how much light the colors appear to reflect.
Who is the artist behind "Back of the Granary, Poland"?
"Back of the Granary, Poland" was created by Robert Polhill Bevan. The information on this page describes Robert Polhill Bevan's original work.
What style does "Back of the Granary, Poland" belong to?
"Back of the Granary, Poland" is a work of Post-Impressionism. The movement indicates the artistic tradition the work is part of.
At what age did Robert Polhill Bevan make "Back of the Granary, Poland"?
Robert Polhill Bevan was 39 years old when creating "Back of the Granary, Poland" in 1904. The age is computed from the artist's birth year, 1865.
When was "Back of the Granary, Poland" made?
"Back of the Granary, Poland" by Robert Polhill Bevan was created in 1904.
What subjects appear in "Back of the Granary, Poland" by Robert Polhill Bevan?
The themes present in "Back of the Granary, Poland" by Robert Polhill Bevan include landscape, rural scene, architecture, domestic interior, dogs, colour palette, british art, quaker influence. Together they summarize the artwork's subject matter.