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Student Artwork Guide

Storing Timber

Name Class Date

Thomas Collier, Storing Timber. Public domain.

The facts

Artist
Thomas Collier wikioo.org/en/artists/thomas-collier/
Artist’s dates
1620 – 1691

In context

Storing Timber — Thomas Collier

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1620
  2. 1630
  3. 1640
  4. 1650
  5. 1660
  6. 1670
  7. 1680
  8. 1690

Shaded: the lifetime of Thomas Collier (1620–1691)

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wikioo.org/en/art/similar/thomas-collier-storing-timber-9FJKW5-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Gray #938d7c

    Catalogued palette

    • #938D7C
    • #4D483D
    • #6E6856
    • #C1C4CD
    Main colour name
    Gray
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Balanced How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Softly Mixed Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Thomas Collier

    Born in Glossop, United Kingdom

    The Quiet Mastery of Thomas Collier

    In the annals of English landscape painting, few names evoke the serene and unpretentious beauty of the countryside quite like Thomas Collier. A master of the watercolour medium, Collier possessed a rare ability to capture the atmospheric essence of the natural world without ever succumbing to the need for theatricality or popular pandering. Born in Glossop, Derbyshire, he was the son of a prosperous grocer and tea dealer, a background that provided him with the financial independence necessary to pursue his artistic passions on his own terms. This freedom allowed him to wander through the landscapes of the Suffolk countryside and the lush terrains of northern Wales, seeking out those quiet, evocative moments that define the true spirit of the British landscape.

    His artistic journey was deeply shaped by his early training at the Manchester School of Art. Inspired by the legendary David Cox, Collier sought to emulate a sense of naturalism and light that felt both grounded and ethereal. During the years between 1864 and 1869, he resided in Betws-y-Coed, a period that undoubtedly deepened his connection to the rugged beauty of the Welsh landscape. His technical prowess was not merely about the application of pigment but about the layering of washes to create depth, light, and a palpable sense of atmosphere. This dedication to the craft eventually led to his election to the New Water Colour Society in London around 1870, marking his emergence as a significant figure within the professional art community.

    A Legacy of Light and Landscape

    Collier’s work is characterized by an industrious yet refined approach. While he was not a prolific exhibitor, those who encountered his paintings often found themselves captivated by his ability to render the subtle nuances of nature. His friendships with fellow artists, such as Edmund Morison Wimperis and Charles Stuart Millard, created a vibrant circle of influence that enriched the landscape tradition of his era. He was a painter who could find profound beauty in a simple forest scene or an expansive view of sheep on a track, imbuing even the most modest subjects with a sense of timelessness.

    His achievements were recognized far beyond the borders of England. In 1878, his talent earned him the prestigious distinction of being made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour following the presentation of a painting to the Paris International Exhibition. This international acclaim underscored the universal appeal of his vision. Even as he established a grand studio at Hampstead Hill Gardens in 1879, Collier remained focused on the intrinsic qualities of his subject matter. His life and work remain a testament to the power of the landscape watercolour to convey the profound tranquility and enduring charm of the natural world.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Storing Timber

    wikioo.org/en/art/download/thomas-collier-storing-timber-9FJKW5-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Collier, Thomas. Storing Timber. n.d., https://wikioo.org/en/art/thomas-collier-storing-timber-9FJKW5-en/
    APA
    Collier, Thomas (n.d.). Storing Timber [Painting]. https://wikioo.org/en/art/thomas-collier-storing-timber-9FJKW5-en/
    Chicago
    Thomas Collier. Storing Timber. n.d. https://wikioo.org/en/art/thomas-collier-storing-timber-9FJKW5-en/
    Harvard
    Collier, Thomas (n.d.) Storing Timber. Available at: https://wikioo.org/en/art/thomas-collier-storing-timber-9FJKW5-en/

    Look closely

    Storing Timber — Thomas Collier

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at Sheep in a mountainous lake landscape, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?
    5. If you could ask the artist one question about this work, what would it be?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Questions & Answers

    Who sells hand-painted copies of "Storing Timber" by Thomas Collier?

    Hand-painted copies of "Storing Timber" by Thomas Collier are sold on this website: a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas, ordered from this page.

    Can I see "Storing Timber" by Thomas Collier on my own wall before buying?

    "Storing Timber" by Thomas Collier can be previewed on your own wall with the artwork's AR Preview page, using augmented reality on a compatible device.

    How do contrast and harmony combine in "Storing Timber"?

    The color analysis of "Storing Timber" by Thomas Collier records a balanced contrast and a softly mixed palette harmony.

    What luminance does "Storing Timber" by Thomas Collier have?

    The luminance recorded for "Storing Timber" by Thomas Collier is gentle luminance.

    Is "Storing Timber" available as a fine art print?

    "Storing Timber" is available as a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper. Orders are placed on this page, in the size of your choice.

    Is "Storing Timber" by Thomas Collier in the public domain, and why?

    "Storing Timber" by Thomas Collier is in the public domain - its copyright has expired. Copyright duration runs from the artist's death, which occurred in 1691.

    Who created "Storing Timber"?

    "Storing Timber" was created by Thomas Collier. The information on this page describes Thomas Collier's original work.