Holl, Frank, R.A.

Holl, Frank, R.A., portrait and subject painter, was born in Kentish Town, 4th July 1845, a son of Francis Holl, A.R.A. (1815-84), the well-known engraver. He was educated at University College School, London, and in 1860 entered the schools of the Royal Academy, where he won gold and silver medals, in 1863 a two years' scholarship for the best historical painting by his 'Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac,' and in 1868 the travelling studentship of the Academy by his subject-picture of 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away.' Four years previously he had begun to exhibit in the Royal Academy with a portrait of himself and a subject-picture, 'Turned out of Church.' These were followed by various effective genre-subjects dealing almost invariably with pathetic scenes from modern life, such as 'I am the Resurrection and the Life' (1872), 'Want—the Pawnbroker's Shop' (1873), 'Her First-born' (1876), 'Newgate—Committed for Trial' (1878), 'Ordered to the Front' (1880), 'Returned from the Wars' (1881), 'Deserted' (1884). He was elected A.R.A. in 1878, and R.A. in 1884. About 1877 he turned his attention to portraiture, and speedily attained immense popularity in this department, his works being marked by a powerful if rather heavy touch, an effective chiaroscuro, and by much dignity of style, though they possess little sweetness of colour, and are somewhat marred by the recurrence of opaque blackness in the shadows. Among the most important of his portraits may be named 'Sir Henry Rawlinson' (1881), 'Duke of Cambridge' (1883), 'Prince of Wales' (1884), 'Duke of Cleveland' (1886), 'Sir G. O. Trevelyan' (1887), and 'W. E. Gladstone,' 'Sir William Jenner,' and 'Lord Spencer' (1888). His health suffered from his incessant artistic production, and he died 31st July 1888. A collection of over fifty of his works was brought together in the winter exhibition of the Royal Academy, 1889.