Holroyd, Sir Charles RE (1861-1917)

Displayed on our website as current or past stock – ‘Nymphs by the Sea’

Holroyd was both a practicing artist – a painter and an etcher, and a senior figure in the Edwardian art world – he was  the first Keeper of the Tate Gallery 1897-1906, and was Director of the National Gallery 1906-1916. His paintings were mainly historical subjects, including religious scenes, and portaits. Originally from Leeds, he moved to London to study art at the Slade where he was taught by Alphonse Legros. Under Legros he honed his considerable skills as an etcher and became a Fellow of the Society of Painter – Etchers in 1885. His paintings were exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1885 and 1895.

It is in some of his etchings, that Charles Holroyd entered into the territory of Symbolism, which was in its prime during his most active period as an artist. The etching currently on display on this website ‘Nymphs by the Sea’ is a case in point. The subject matter is of the mythological and the romantic, the arcadian ideal so often treated by those such as Puvis de Chavannes and Arnold Bocklin.