Henry Bates Joel
Henry Bates Joel (1875 - 1922) was a British landscape painter of the late Victorian era.[1] Joel exhibited from 1880 to 1905 and primarily painted coastal scenes and landscapes.[2]
Works and Legacy
Bates Joel concentrated on romanticised landscapes, figures and coastal scenes.[3] The artist's most popular motive was the Scottish highlands.[4] Joel was a much respected artist during the Victorian and Edwardian era,[5] valued especially for the vibrancy of his palette and 'flowing', 'sophisticated' brush strokes,[4] yet was largely forgotten (and underestimated) in the late 20th and early 21st century. A prolific artist, his work is often seen on the market today. He has been sold at Bonhams, Sotheby's and Christies [6] and has seen increasing popularity by collectors.
Bates Joel exhibited from 1884-1922 and is catalogued as H B Joel, J H Boel and H Bates[7] as his signatures are "monogrammed with initials and difficult to read."[8] This has led to Henry Bates Joel sometimes being referred to as John Henry Boel in auctions and on some portals; there is limited evidence that Boel was his actual name, but this is subject to speculation.[9] Early examples of his paintings (during the 1890's) are usually dated, which is not the case for his later works.[10]
Joel is part of the 'late romantic movement', aimed at supporting the emphasis of aesthetic values.[4] Bates will have been inspired by the likes of Turner and Constable, adding a 'contemporary, Victorian, perspective' to traditional imagery.[9] Paintings such as 'Loch Lomod' are typical for Bates Joel's style; "refined and vibrant yet with strongly romanticised aura."[11][4] Henry Bates Joel's primary medium of painting was oil but many watercolours exist as well.[8]
Joel also painted the Isle of Wight, some of his paintings (such as 'Bonchurch, near Ventnor, Isle of Wight', which shows a impressionist influence) are exhibited in Milntown Estate. Clifton park and museum displays some of his paintings as well.[12]
- Signature: HBates.
- This signature by Joel could also be read as Boel, jet, when distinguishing between its compartments, it becomes clear that it reads H. B. Joel.
References
- Norman, Geraldine (1977). Nineteenth-century Painters and Painting: A Dictionary. University of california press.
- Wood, Christopher (2008). Victorian Painters: The text. Antique Collectors' Club. p. 281.
- Fuller, Peter (2015). Theoria: Art & The Absence Of Grace.
- Wood, Jeremy (1994). Hidden Talents: A Dictionary of Neglected Artists Working 1880-1950. p. 84.
- Wood, Christopher (1999). Victorian Painting.
- Bonhams September 2009 British and Continental Pictures. 2009.
- Nahum, Peter. Victorian Painters' Monograms. p. 212.
- "Paintings by artist John Henry Boel". www.iandodgsonfinearts.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- Wood, Christopher (1999). Victorian Painting. Bulfinch Press.
- "John Henry Boel (fl 1890-1915) 19thc Oil Painting - The Hoarde". www.thehoarde.com. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- "Loch Lomond | Art UK". artuk.org. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- "Landscape | Art UK". artuk.org. Retrieved 3 December 2020.