Holl, Frank

PAINTER (ENGLAND)
BORN 4 Jul 1845, London - DIED 31 Jul 1888, London: Hampstead
BIRTH NAME Holl, Francis Montague
GRAVE LOCATION London: Highgate Cemetery West, Swain's Lane, Highgate

Frank Holl waas the son of the engraver Francis Holl (1815-1884). He was educated at University College School before he entered the Schools of the Royal Academy. He won several medals and in 1864 he exhibited "A Portrait" and "Turned out of Church". during the following years he exhibited further paintings. In 1869 he started working for William Luson Thomas' new paper The Graphic. Vincent van Gogh collected Holl's prints when he lived in London and he expressed his admiration in letters to his brother Theo and to his friend Anthon von Rappard.

In 1883 he became a member of the Royal Academy. He received many commissions and he found it hard to refuse them, even if he was fully booked. He painted Lord Roberts for Queen Victoria in 1882 and shortly afterwards the Prince of Wales. For his painting "Did you ever kill anybody Father?" (1883) his daughter Nina was the model. In 1886 he painted a portrait of John Millais. Possibly because he worked far too hard his health started to decline rapidly.

He died in 1888 in Hampstead, aged only 43. He was buried at the western section of Highgate Cemetery. His wife Annie Laura was buried in the same grave in 1931. His work was almost forgotten after his death until it was exhibited at the Watts Gallery in 2013.

Family
• Father: Holl, Francis

Related persons
• painted Chamberlain, Joseph
• painted Holl, Francis
• painted Millais, John

Images

The grave of Frank Holl at Highgate Cemetery West, London.
Picture by Androom (28 Mar 2016)

 

Sources
Frank Holl - Wikipedia (EN)


Holl, Gussy

Published: 19 Mar 2023
Last update: 19 Mar 2023