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The 17 Most Famous John Varley Paintings, a Gallery Selection
Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 17 works by John Varley in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals John Varley left, the most famous is The Gate of Justice, Alhambra, Granada (1886), in the collection of the Greenway. Close behind it come Night Ferry, Vancouver (1937) and Dead Tree, Garibaldi Park (1927). Our catalog holds 17 works by John Varley; the gallery has kept the 17 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
1850 – 1933, Fulham
Impressionism
Most works: McMichael Canadian Art Collection
John Varley's top 10 paintings: the gallery's choice
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Night Ferry, Vancouver
The painting Night Ferry, Vancouver is a large oil on canvas that captures a serene night scene. It depicts a boat, appearing to be a ferry, sailing across the water under the gentle glow of a moonlit sky. The vessel carries several people, with some individuals visible standing while others are sitting or lying down as the boat glides through the water.
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Dead Tree, Garibaldi Park
In the quietude of 1927, John Varley II (the Younger) captured a moment of profound stillness in his evocative landscape, Dead Tree, Garibaldi Park. At first glance, the viewer is drawn to the skeletal silhouette of a prominent tree in the foreground, its trunk thick and weathered, stripped of its foliage. This central figure serves as a powerful memento mori, a stark reminder of the cycles of life and decay…
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The John Varley selection continues, 11 to 17
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A Bedouin Goatherd On The Banks Of The Nile
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A Street In The Hassonayn Quarter, Cairo
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Mosque Of Mohammed Bey, Cairo
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A Bazaar
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Entrance To The Mausoleum Of Jyemiten, Nikko, Japan
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Avenue Of Cryptomeria Leading To The Temple Of Fiaharajinshu, Nikko, Japan
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Church at Yale, BC, 1930Royal BC Museum
A Bedouin Goatherd On The Banks Of The Nile
12A Street In The Hassonayn Quarter, Cairo
13Mosque Of Mohammed Bey, Cairo
14A Bazaar
15Entrance To The Mausoleum Of Jyemiten, Nikko, Japan
16Avenue Of Cryptomeria Leading To The Temple Of Fiaharajinshu, Nikko, Japan
17Church at Yale, BC, 1930Royal BC Museum
The subjects that held John Varley's eye
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
Urban landscape 2 works
19th century egypt 2 works
Architecture 2 works
Cairo cityscape 2 works
The museums that keep John Varley's originals
The 3 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by John Varley | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 McMichael Canadian Art Collection |
Vaughan | 2 | Night Ferry, Vancouver, Dead Tree, Garibaldi Park |
 Greenway |
1 | The Gate of Justice, Alhambra, Granada | |
 Royal BC Museum |
Victoria | 1 | Church at Yale, BC, 1930 |
John Varley year by year: the originals that define each
From 1886 to 1927, John Varley worked for 42 years: the selection follows that long career year by year, through its finest originals.
Works per year
Pick a year to see its originals.
1927
Dead Tree, Garibaldi Park
Age 77
1 work this year
In the quietude of 1927, John Varley II (the Younger) captured a moment of profound stillness in his evocative landscape, Dead Tree, Garibaldi Park. At first glance, the viewer is drawn to the skeletal silhouette of a prominent tree in the foreground, its trunk thick and weathered, stripped of its foliage. This central figure serves as a powerful memento mori, a stark reminder of the cycles of life and decay…
Collectors' questions about John Varley's paintings
Which work is John Varley most famous for?Reveal the answer
The Gate of Justice, Alhambra, Granada (1886), Greenway. Night Ferry, Vancouver (1937) and Dead Tree, Garibaldi Park (1927) come next.
What age was John Varley when The Gate of Justice, Alhambra, Granada was made?Reveal the answer
36 years old: The Gate of Justice, Alhambra, Granada dates from 1886, and John Varley was born in 1850.
What are the ten most famous John Varley paintings?Reveal the answer
The Gate of Justice, Alhambra, Granada, Night Ferry, Vancouver, Dead Tree, Garibaldi Park, A Well At Abbassieh, Near Cairo, Mosque Near The Bab Al-nasr, Cairo, Medical College Hospital, Calcutta, Near The Gate Of The Zueylah, Cairo, The Mosque Of Emir Mindar, Cairo, The Citadel And Mosque Of Mehemet-ali Of The Desert and Game El Syer, Cairo. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
How many paintings did John Varley leave?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 17 works by John Varley, dated from 1886 to 1927.
In which museums do John Varley's masterpieces hang?Reveal the answer
Mostly in McMichael Canadian Art Collection (Vaughan), Greenway and Royal BC Museum (Victoria). The museum table above lists them all.
What are the first and the last famous originals of John Varley?Reveal the answer
On this page, the earliest is The Gate of Justice, Alhambra, Granada (1886) and the latest Dead Tree, Garibaldi Park (1927).
Which subjects did John Varley choose most often?Reveal the answer
Urban landscape (2), 19th century egypt (2) and Architecture (2), across the 17 works on this page.
To which art movement does John Varley belong?Reveal the answer
Impressionism, judging by the originals on this page.
Which John Varley works hang at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection?Reveal the answer
Night Ferry, Vancouver and Dead Tree, Garibaldi Park: the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Vaughan holds 2 of the works on this page.
John Varley: life and work
John Varley II (the Younger): A Quiet Observer of British Landscape
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.