Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Lionel Percy Smythe died in 1855; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1925.
In context
Young harvesters — Lionel Percy Smythe
Shaded: the lifetime of Lionel Percy Smythe (1780–1855)
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Main colour
Espresso #4e3215
Catalogued palette
Artist and museum
Born in London, United Kingdom
Born: September 4, 1839, London, United Kingdom
Died: July 1918
Nationality: British
Artistic Movement: Idyllists
Lionel Percy Smythe was born the illegitimate son of Percy Clinton Sydney Smythe, the 6th Viscount Strangford, and Katherine Benham (later Mrs. Wyllie).
His early years were spent in France with his family before returning to London in 1843.
He received his education at King's College School.
He was the half-brother of artists William Lionel Wyllie and Charles William Wyllie, who significantly influenced his artistic development.
Smythe’s formal training took place at the Heatherley School of Fine Art.
He began exhibiting his work at the Royal Academy in 1863, marking the beginning of his public recognition.
His artistic style evolved to capture idyllic rural scenes and genre paintings, often depicting everyday life with a focus on detail and atmosphere.
Frequent trips to France, particularly to Wimereux and Boulogne, provided him with rich subject matter for his landscapes and depictions of local people.
He became associated with the Idyllists, a group of artists who sought to portray idealized scenes of rural life and pastoral beauty.
Notable Works: "The Arabian Nights" (1865), "Shorthanded" (1874), "Field of the Cloth of Gold: Twixt Calais and Guines" (1883), “Bleaching Linen” (pre 1896), "Under the Greenwood Tree" (1902), "The Harvester" (1910).
Mediums: Primarily worked in watercolor and oil paints.
Style: Smythe’s style is characterized by meticulous detail, a soft palette of colors, and a focus on capturing the atmosphere and mood of his subjects. His paintings often evoke a sense of nostalgia and tranquility.
He skillfully depicted figures within landscapes, creating narratives that reflected Victorian values and ideals.
Smythe was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy (A.R.A.) in 1898 and a full Royal Academician (R.A.) in 1911, solidifying his position within the British art establishment.
His works are held in prestigious collections including the Tate Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
As an artist associated with the Idyllists, Smythe contributed to a broader artistic trend that celebrated rural life and idealized landscapes during the Victorian era.
He is remembered for his ability to capture the beauty of everyday scenes and convey a sense of peace and harmony through his art.
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Look closely
Young harvesters — Lionel Percy Smythe
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