Rugby School is loaning the painting From North Col of Everest by Rugbeian Howard Somervell (C 1904-1909) for a series of exhibitions celebrating his life, artistic achievements, and expeditions to Mount Everest. The exhibitions, coordinated by his grandson, Tom Somervell, will showcase this remarkable painting alongside other works tied to his legacy. 

From North Col of Everest is Howard Somervell’s largest known painting and may have been commissioned by Rugby School, though the circumstances of its acquisition remain unclear. This marks the first time the painting has ever been displayed publicly. 

The artwork captures the breathtaking view northwest from the North Col, featuring at least five identifiable peaks. Howard himself described his attempts to photograph the scene during the 1924 Everest expedition in his book After Everest: 

“The third attempt was successful and produced a photograph of the northwest shoulder of Everest with the shadow of the North Peak on the glacier below.” 

Howard Somervell was a Rugbeian whose life was as remarkable as his art. A surgeon, explorer, and accomplished mountaineer, he took part in two Everest expeditions during the 1920s, achieving a world altitude record at the time. He was awarded an Olympic medal for mountaineering. His travels also inspired a lifelong commitment to serving others, working for 40 years as a medical missionary Neyyoor Hospital in Tamil Nadu, India. 

Howard's art reflects his dual passions for exploration and humanitarian work. Carrying a sketchbook on his travels, he created countless sketches that became the foundation for his oil paintings. Many of these works depict mountain landscapes from his Himalayan and Alpine expeditions. After retiring to the Lake District, he continued painting in his studio at Ambleside, capturing scenes from across the globe. 

His artistic output was prolific, encompassing hundreds—if not thousands—of works, including oils, pastels, and watercolors. This exhibition will highlight some of his finest pieces, celebrating his accomplishments as both an unofficial war artist and a distinguished landscape painter. 

Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Howard's death, the exhibitions will run from June to November 2025, with venues in London and Cumbria. 

• June–July 2025: A selection of paintings will be displayed at John Mitchell Fine Art Studios in Mayfair, London. 
• September–October 2025: The Alpine Club will host the full exhibition at their headquarters near the City of London. 
• October - November 2025: The exhibition will move to the Heaton-Cooper Studios in Grasmere, coinciding with the Kendal Mountain Festival. 

Additionally, a comprehensive new biography by Graham Hoyland, First on Everest: The Life of Howard Somervell, will be published by The History Press in May 2025, shedding new light on his extraordinary life. 

For those interested, a booklet on his life and art, Before and After Everest: The Art of Howard Somervell by Simon Pierse, is available on Issuu.

This series of exhibitions promises to be a fitting tribute to a man whose contributions to art, exploration, and humanity continue to inspire.