Frank Holl: Emerging from the Shadows

Francis ‘Frank’ Montague Holl (1845-1888) was one of the great painters of the Victorian era, notable for his tragic social realism as well as his penetrating portraits. Although highly respected in his lifetime, his early death meant that he never fully received the acclaim that his work merited. His great subject pictures, often on bleak themes, were frequently criticized for their darkness but found great favor with the public. His portraits can be seen on a par with those of Watts and Millais, and he was an influence on Van Gogh who greatly admired his work. This book represents the first retrospective of this significant artist. Exploring in parallel the subject paintings and the portraits, it considers the importance of Holl’s output and his continued relevance today.