Charles Holme

Peasant Art in Sweden, Lapland and Iceland Charles Holme

Art made by those not traditionally trained has several terms, including outsider art, folk art, raw art and peasant art. This particular work offers a carefully chosen selection of both the decorative and fine arts of Sweden, Iceland, and the northern most region of Finland. A comprehensive survey, it includes paintings, jewelry, textiles, metalwork, carving, furniture and pottery. Charles Holme (1848-1923) was an art critic who promoted peasant art, and edited numerous books to share the artwork, including Old Houses in Holland (1913); Peasant Art in Russia (1912); and The Art of the Book (1914). Holme was born in England, and enjoyed the privileged life as the son and heir of a silk manufacturer. He also worked in the same field, even expanding the business into Japan. He retired in 1892 and then turned full-time to the arts. He began The Studio: An Illustrated Magazine of Fine and Applied Art, serving as editor from 1895-1919, when he retired, and his son, Charles Geoffrey Holme took over.