Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Summer

Name Class Date

Florence Engelbach, Summer (1930). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Florence Engelbach wahooart.com/en/artists/florence-engelbach/
Artist’s dates
1872 – 1951
Painted
1930
Original size
76 x 64 cm

In context

Summer — Florence Engelbach

How big is it?

The original measures 76 × 64 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1870
  2. 1880
  3. 1890
  4. 1900
  5. 1910
  6. 1920
  7. 1930
  8. 1940
  9. 1950

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 79 at death.

Painted when the artist was 58. The artist lived to 79. 1 of the 10 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Florence Engelbach (1872–1951) ▲ this work, 1930 every dated painting, decade by decade

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: wahooart.com/en/art/similar/florence-engelbach-summer-AQUPML-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Putty #dadada

    Catalogued palette

    • #DADADA
    • #747574
    • #2D2D2C
    • #AEAFAF

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Putty
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Discordant Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant 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.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Florence Engelbach over the last twelve months — 3 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 71.4%
    2. 2 United Kingdom 14.3%
    3. 3 Singapore 14.3%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 7 most looked-at works by Florence Engelbach

    1. 1 Crocus and Stocks, 1934 28.6%
    2. 2 Gladioli, 1933 14.3%
    3. 3 Old Woman Knitting, 1910 14.3%
    4. 4 Tulips and Irises, 1931 14.3%
    5. 5 Peonies 14.3%
    6. 6 Alpes Maritimes, 1931 14.3%
    7. — Summer, 1930 this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 12 works by this artist, of which 6 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Florence Engelbach

    Florence Engelbach: A Bloomsbury Painter of Delicate Beauty

    Florence Ada Engelbach née Neumegen (9 June 1872 – 27 February 1951) was a British painter renowned for her exquisite floral still lifes and portraits, particularly her masterful depictions of roses. Born in Jerez de la frontera, Spain, to English parents, Engelbach pursued artistic training initially in London at the Westminster School of Art and subsequently at Slade School of Art before immersing herself in Parisian ateliers – experiences that profoundly shaped her distinctive style. Her work reflects a meticulous observation of nature combined with an elegant sensitivity to form and color, establishing her as a significant figure within the Bloomsbury Group’s circle of artists and intellectuals.

    Early Life & Education: Engelbach's formative years were spent in Spain amidst a family steeped in artistic tradition. Recognizing her talent early on, her parents encouraged her pursuit of formal art education, culminating in degrees from London’s prestigious institutions.

    Parisian Influences: Engelbach’s relocation to Paris proved pivotal, exposing her to Impressionism and Post-Impressionist techniques championed by artists like Monet and Cézanne. These influences infused her canvases with luminous color palettes and loose brushstrokes—a stylistic hallmark of her oeuvre.

    Notable Exhibitions & Recognition: Engelbach’s artistic endeavors garnered considerable acclaim during her lifetime. Her paintings were showcased at prominent galleries such as the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle and the Paris Salon, securing her place among the leading artists of her era. Notably, she received a bronze medal at a Women's International Art Club exhibition in London.

    Marriage & Family Life: Engelbach married C.F.R Engelbach in 1902, dedicating herself to raising a family while continuing to nurture her artistic passion. Despite prioritizing domestic responsibilities, she persevered in painting, demonstrating unwavering commitment to her craft.

    Floral Mastery: The Art of Delicate Composition

    Engelbach’s enduring legacy rests primarily on her captivating floral paintings—particularly her celebrated series of roses. These works exemplify her unparalleled ability to capture the ephemeral beauty of blossoms with breathtaking precision and emotional resonance. Employing meticulous observation and masterful brushwork, she achieved remarkable textural depth and luminous color harmonies that convey not merely visual representation but also a profound appreciation for the natural world. Her canvases are imbued with an understated elegance—a testament to her artistic vision.

    Technique & Style: Engelbach favored a technique characterized by subtle gradations of tone and color, achieved through layering thin glazes over textured surfaces. This approach allowed her to convey the velvety sheen of petals and the delicate interplay of light and shadow—capturing the essence of floral form.

    Iconic Works: Among Engelbach’s most celebrated paintings are “Gladioli” and “Crocus and Stocks,” which exemplify her masterful command of Impressionistic principles. These pieces demonstrate her ability to transform ordinary flowers into symbols of grace and beauty, resonating with viewers across generations.

    Association with the Bloomsbury Group & Artistic Legacy

    Engelbach’s artistic pursuits intersected seamlessly with intellectual discourse within the Bloomsbury Group—a collective of influential writers and artists who championed aesthetic experimentation and humanist ideals. Her membership in the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Gravers/ Printmakers solidified her position as a respected figure within British art circles.

    Influence & Recognition: Engelbach’s work continues to inspire admiration for its understated beauty and technical virtuosity. Her paintings reside in prestigious collections such as the Tate Collection, ensuring that her artistic legacy endures—a testament to her enduring contribution to Impressionist painting.

    A Memorial Exhibition & Lasting Remembrance

    In 1951, a memorial exhibition honoring Engelbach’s life and accomplishments was held at the Leicester Galleries, commemorating her remarkable artistic achievements and celebrating her unwavering devotion to art. Her enduring influence on British painting—particularly her masterful depictions of roses—remains palpable today.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Summer

    wahooart.com/en/art/download/florence-engelbach-summer-AQUPML-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Engelbach, Florence. Summer. 1930, https://wahooart.com/en/art/florence-engelbach-summer-AQUPML-en/
    APA
    Engelbach, Florence (1930). Summer [Painting]. https://wahooart.com/en/art/florence-engelbach-summer-AQUPML-en/
    Chicago
    Florence Engelbach. Summer. 1930. https://wahooart.com/en/art/florence-engelbach-summer-AQUPML-en/
    Harvard
    Engelbach, Florence (1930) Summer. Available at: https://wahooart.com/en/art/florence-engelbach-summer-AQUPML-en/

    Look closely

    Summer — Florence Engelbach

    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 Old Woman Knitting (1910), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. Florence Engelbach was about 58 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    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

    Is a high-resolution download of "Summer" available?

    A digital image of "Summer" by Florence Engelbach can be purchased on its Digital Image page: a high-resolution digital image download.

    Is "Summer" by Florence Engelbach in the public domain?

    "Summer" by Florence Engelbach is in the public domain - its copyright has expired. This status governs how the image of the work may be reproduced.

    Do the colors of "Summer" appear strong or soft?

    "Summer" by Florence Engelbach shows a monochromatic color intensity.