Francis Holman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francis Holman
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Francis Holman's painting of Commodore James on the ship HCS Protector, with HCS Revenge and the HCS grab Bombay near the Suvarnadug fort in India, April 1755.
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| Born | 1729 |
| Died | 29 November 1784 (aged c. 55) |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Marine art |
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Notable work
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Views of London shipyards and river traffic, and naval actions, for example:
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Francis Holman (1729–1784) was a British artist who painted pictures of ships and the sea. This type of art is called marine art. He wasn't very famous when he was alive, but today his paintings are quite popular. He is also known for teaching another important marine painter, Thomas Luny.
About Francis Holman
Francis Holman was born in Ramsgate, England, and was baptized on November 14, 1729. He was the oldest son of Francis Holman and Anne Long. His father was an experienced sailor and ship captain. His grandfather made barrels for a living in Ramsgate.
Francis grew up surrounded by ships and the sea. His younger brother, Captain John Holman, continued the family's shipping business. Francis and John stayed close throughout their lives. Because Francis grew up around ships, his paintings show lots of accurate details about the sea and ships.
Holman lived in several places in Wapping, a part of London located on the Thames River. He married Elizabeth and they had three sons. Two of their sons, both named Francis, sadly died when they were babies. His first wife, Elizabeth, passed away at some point. On May 7, 1781, he married Jane Maxted.
His Artworks
Holman's first paintings were often portraits of ships. Ship captains would usually order these paintings. From 1767 to 1772, he showed eleven of his pictures at the Free Society of Artists. He then started painting scenes of shipyards and the everyday life around British ports in the late 1700s.
By 1773, Holman took on Thomas Luny as his student. Luny later became a very important marine painter himself.
During the American War of Independence, people were very interested in the Royal Navy (the British Navy). So, Holman started painting more about British pride and naval battles. Between 1774 and 1784, he sent seventeen paintings to be shown at the Royal Academy of Arts. Most of these paintings were of the Royal Navy or sea battles. His most famous painting from the American War of Independence is The Moonlight Battle off Cape St. Vincent, 16 January 1780.
His Later Life and Legacy
Francis Holman passed away in Wapping on November 29, 1784. His brother, Captain John Holman, brought his body back to Ramsgate. He was buried on December 4 in his wife Jane's family burial place. The local vicar recorded that he died due to "lethargy," which means a lack of energy or enthusiasm.
For a long time, Holman's work wasn't appreciated enough. However, more recently, his paintings have sold for good money at art auctions. They are also important parts of collections in museums, like the National Maritime Museum.
Holman paid great attention to detail and had deep knowledge of his subjects. This has left us with an important way to see what sea life was like in the 1700s. Because of this, his reputation as a major marine painter has grown. His importance as the teacher of Thomas Luny has also made him more famous.
Images for kids
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The moonlight Battle of Cape St. Vincent, 16 January 1780 by Francis Holman, painted 1780
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A sixth-rate British man of war off Dover, by Francis Holman, 1777
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A small shipyard on the Thames, by Francis Holman, between 1760 and 1784
