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William Brassey Hole RSA (7 November 1846 – 22 October 1917) was a Scottish Victorian painter, illustrator, etcher, and engraver. He was known for his industrial, historical and biblical scenes.

Life

Early life and training

Hole was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, the son of a doctor, Richard Brassey Hole and his wife Ann Burn Hole (nee Fergusson); his father died in the cholera epidemic of 1849, when William was only 3 years of age, and the family relocated to Edinburgh, Scotland, shortly afterwards. He was educated at Edinburgh Academy, then served an apprenticeship as a civil engineer for 5 years, although he really wanted to be an artist.^[1]

In 1869, he sailed from Swansea to Genoa, and spent the next 6 months travelling and sketching around Italy. In Rome he made the acquaintance of Keeley Halswelle who gave him practical advice on art. It was Halswelle whose criticism encouraged Hole to endeavour to become a professional painter.^[1]

On returning to Edinburgh, Hole entered the School of Design, then won admission to the life school of the Royal Scottish Academy, first exhibiting there in 1873; in 1878 he was elected an associate of the Academy. Around this time he took up etching and was accepted into the Royal Society of Painters and Etchers (RE) in 1885; he was already a member of the Royal Scottish Watercolour Society (RSW) from 1884. He eventually became a full member of the Academy (RSA).^[1]

Career

Hole went on to specialise in painting industrial and historical material. Although born in England, his mother was Scottish, he was brought up, studied, lived, worked and died in Edinburgh, and devoted much of his energies to Scottish national subjects and purposes.

Principal paintings include End of the '45 (1879), A Straggler of the Chevalier's Army, Culloden, Prince Charlie's Parliament (1882), If thou hadst known (1885) and The Canterbury Pilgrims (1889). Other paintings included Medea in the Island of Circe, several based on Arthurian legend, and several depicting the life of fishermen on the west coast of Scotland, exhibited in 1883–84. Of the latter, The Night's Catch and The fill of the two Boats were praised by critics.^[2]

Hole's etchings were also highly regarded, one critic describing them as "perhaps the most wonderful translations of colour and handling, of design and conception and spirit, into another artistic medium ever made, and entitle their author to rank with creative artists of the highest class".^[2]

Hole was an Episcopalian, and attended the Episcopal Church of St James, Goldenacre. In 1894 onwards, he undertook to decorate the church, in his spare time and at no charge, with mural paintings,^[3] which later led to the commission for his work at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.^[4]

In 1898 Hole painted a Processional Frieze for the entrance hall of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, showing over 150 figures or "heroes" from Scotland's past. A critic described this work as "one of the most notable essays in mural decoration ever accomplished in this country". He also provided historical paintings for Edinburgh City Chambers and ecclesiastical decorations for other buildings.^[2]

Around 1900, he travelled to Palestine in order to study the background for biblical painting. There he began working on the 80 watercolours that would eventually appear as illustrations in his book The Life of Jesus of Nazareth.^[5] In April to May 1906 these pictures were shown at an exhibition at the Fine Art Society in London.^[6] He also painted scenes from the Old Testament.

Hole drew the black and white illustrations for several books including works by Robert Louis Stevenson, J M Barrie, and Robert Burns.

In later life he lived at 13 Inverleith Terrace in north Edinburgh, his neighbour at 15 being fellow-artist James Cadenhead.^[7]

Hole died in Edinburgh in 1917. He is buried in the Grange Cemetery in the ground of James Lindsay in the centre of the north wall. His name is listed at the base of the monument along with other members of the Hole family.

Selected works

These are some of the publications Hole illustrated.

Hole, William. Quasi cursores (Edinburgh Univ. Press, 1884)
Stevenson, R. L. The Wrecker (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1892)
Stevenson, R. L. Catriona (London: Cassell & Co. Ltd., 1893)
MacLaren, Ian. Beside The Bonnie Brier Bush (Hodder & Stoughton, 1896).
Barrie, J. M. Auld Licht Idylls (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1902)
Barrie, J. M. A Window in Thrums (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1902)
Hole, William. The life of Jesus of Nazareth: eighty pictures (Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1906)
Hole William. The Holy Bible. Containing The Old And New Testaments (Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1925)

Gallery

"Jesus... seeking instruction from the doctors of the law" (Luke 2:41-50)
"Jesus returneth with his parents to Nazareth" (Luke 2:51-52)
First War of Scottish Independence
Roman generals and emperors closeup in a frieze at the Great Hall of the Scottish National Gallery
Saint Columba converting the Picts
Battle of Largs
Caledonia

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Meynell, 1887.
^ ^a ^b ^c Caw, p. 268 ff.
^ Gifford, John; McWilliam, Colin; Walker, David (1991). Edinburgh. The Buildings of Scotland. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-071068-X.
^ Hole, Elizabeth (2011). William Hole R.S.A: Miscellaneous Memories of a Lifetime. Mark O'Hanlon. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-9528059-5-3.
^ "W B Hole's "Life of Jesus Christ"". Bibleillustration.blogspot.com. 26 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
^ "Exhibition at the Fine Arts Society, 1906". Exhibitionculture.arts.gla.ac.uk. 1 August 1906. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
^ Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1911–12.

Citations

Wilfrid Meynell. The modern school of art, Volume 4 (London: W. R. Howell & Co., c. 1887)
Caw, James L. Scottish painting past and present (T.C. & E.C. Jack, 1908)
Ackerman, Gerald M. Les orientalistes de l'Ecole Britannique (Art Creation Realisation, 1991) p. 323

External links

William Hole Online. News, biography and general information about the artist.
William Hole as Bible artist
William Hole archive (Edinburgh University Library)
Etched portraits by Hole (National Portrait Gallery)
Works by William Hole at Project Gutenberg
Works by or about William Hole at the Internet Archive
Leith Docks (1880 etching)
End of the forty-five rebellion (1882 etching)
The new arrival (1902 etching)
William Hole at Library of Congress, with 10 library catalogue records

[meynell-1] Meynell, 1887.

[caw-2] Caw, p. 268 ff.

[3] Gifford, John; McWilliam, Colin; Walker, David (1991). Edinburgh. The Buildings of Scotland. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-071068-X.

[4] Hole, Elizabeth (2011). William Hole R.S.A: Miscellaneous Memories of a Lifetime. Mark O'Hanlon. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-9528059-5-3.

[5] "W B Hole's "Life of Jesus Christ"". Bibleillustration.blogspot.com. 26 May 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2012.

[6] "Exhibition at the Fine Arts Society, 1906". Exhibitionculture.arts.gla.ac.uk. 1 August 1906. Retrieved 14 May 2012.

[7] Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1911–12.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|British artist (1846–1917)}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
 {{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
 [[File:Jesus appears to the disciples.jpg|thumb|[[Jesus]] appears to the [[Twelve Apostles|disciples]]]]
-'''William Brassey Hole''' [[Royal Scottish Academy|RSA]] (7 November 1846 &ndash; 22 October 1917) was an English artist, illustrator, [[etcher]] and [[engraver]], known for his industrial, historical and biblical scenes.
+'''William Brassey Hole''' {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|RSA}} (7 November 1846 &ndash; 22 October 1917) was a Scottish [[Victorian painter]], illustrator, [[etcher]], and [[engraver]]. He was known for his industrial, historical and biblical scenes.
 ==Life==
 ===Early life and training===
+[[File:Salisbury Cathedral- memorial (45) - geograph.org.uk - 1903897.jpg|thumb|Monument to Richard Brassey Hole in Salisbury Cathedral]]
+Hole was born in [[Salisbury]], Wiltshire,  the son of a doctor, Richard Brassey Hole and his wife Ann Burn Hole (nee Fergusson); his father died in the [[cholera]] epidemic of 1849, when William was only 3 years of age, and the family relocated to [[Edinburgh]], Scotland, shortly afterwards. He was educated at [[Edinburgh Academy]], then served an apprenticeship as a [[civil engineer]] for 5 years, although he really wanted to be an artist.<ref name="meynell">Meynell, 1887.</ref>
+In 1869, he sailed from [[Swansea]] to [[Genoa]], and spent the next 6 months travelling and sketching around [[Italy]]. In [[Rome]] he made the acquaintance of [[Keeley Halswelle]] who gave him practical advice on art. It was Halswelle whose criticism encouraged Hole to endeavour to become a professional painter.<ref name="meynell" />
-Hole was born in [[Salisbury]], Wiltshire,  the son of a doctor, Richard Hole and his wife Ann; His father died in the [[cholera]] epidemic of 1849, when William was only 3 years of age, and the family relocated to [[Edinburgh]], Scotland, shortly afterwards. He was educated at [[Edinburgh Academy]], then served an apprenticeship as a [[civil engineer]] for 5 years, although he really wanted to be an artist.<ref name="meynell">Meynell, 1887.</ref>
-In 1869, he sailed from [[Swansea]] to [[Genoa]], and spent the next 6 months travelling and sketching around [[Italy]]. In [[Rome]] he made the acquaintance of [[Keeley Halswelle]] who gave him practical advice on art. It was Halwelle whose criticism encouraged Hole to endeavour to become a professional painter.<ref name="meynell" />
 On returning to Edinburgh, Hole entered the School of Design, then won admission to the life school of the Royal Scottish Academy, first exhibiting there in 1873; in 1878 he was elected an associate of the Academy. Around this time he took up [[etching]] and was accepted into the [[Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers|Royal Society of Painters and Etchers]] (RE) in 1885; he was already a member of the [[Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour|Royal Scottish Watercolour Society]] (RSW) from 1884. He eventually became a full member of the Academy (RSA).<ref name="meynell" />
@@ Line 17: / Line 18: @@
 [[File:A Window in Thrums.jpg|thumb|Illustration from ''A window in Thrums'' (by [[J M Barrie]])]]
 [[File:The grave of William Hole RSA, Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh.jpg|thumb|The grave of William Hole RSA, Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh]]
-Hole went on to specialise in painting industrial and historical material.  Although an Englishman by birth, he devoted much of his energies to Scottish national subjects and purposes.
+Hole went on to specialise in painting industrial and historical material.  Although born in England, his mother was Scottish, he was brought up, studied, lived, worked and died in Edinburgh, and devoted much of his energies to Scottish national subjects and purposes.
-Principal paintings include ''End of [[the '45]]'' (1879), ''A Straggler of the Chevalier's Army'',  ''[[Battle of Culloden| Culloden]]'',  ''[[Prince Charlie]]'s Parliament'' (1882), ''If thou hadst known'' (1885) and ''The [[Canterbury]] Pilgrims'' (1889). Other paintings included ''Medea in the Island of Circe'', several based on [[Arthurian]] legend, and several depicting the life of fishermen on the west coast of Scotland, exhibited in 1883-84. Of the latter, ''The Night's Catch'' and ''The fill of the two Boats'' were praised by critics.<ref name="caw">Caw, p. 268 ff.</ref>
+Principal paintings include ''End of [[the '45]]'' (1879), ''A Straggler of the Chevalier's Army'',  '' [[Battle of Culloden|Culloden]]'',  ''[[Prince Charlie]]'s Parliament'' (1882), ''If thou hadst known'' (1885) and ''The [[Canterbury]] Pilgrims'' (1889). Other paintings included ''Medea in the Island of Circe'', several based on [[Arthurian]] legend, and several depicting the life of fishermen on the west coast of Scotland, exhibited in 1883–84. Of the latter, ''The Night's Catch'' and ''The fill of the two Boats'' were praised by critics.<ref name="caw">Caw, p. 268 ff.</ref>
 Hole's etchings were also highly regarded, one critic describing them as "perhaps the most wonderful translations of colour and handling, of design and conception and spirit, into another artistic medium ever made, and entitle their author to rank with creative artists of the highest class".<ref name="caw" />
+Hole was an [[Episcopalian]], and attended [[St James Goldenacre|the Episcopal Church of St James, Goldenacre]]. In 1894 onwards, he undertook to decorate the church, in his spare time and at no charge, with mural paintings,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gifford |first1=John|last2=McWilliam |first2=Colin |last3=Walker |first3=David |date=1991 |title=Edinburgh |series=The Buildings of Scotland |trans-title= |url= |url-status= |url-access= |format= |language= |location= |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=0-14-071068-X |archive-url= |archive-date= |via= |quote=}}</ref> which later led to the commission for his work at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hole |first=Elizabeth |author-link= |date=2011 |title=William Hole R.S.A: Miscellaneous Memories of a Lifetime |url= |location= |publisher=Mark O'Hanlon|isbn=978-0-9528059-5-3|page=79}}</ref>
-Around 1900, he travelled to Palestine in order to study the background for biblical painting. There he began working on the 80 watercolours that would eventually appear as illustrations in his book ''The Life of Jesus of Nazareth''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bibleillustration.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-favorite-bible-artist-7.html |title=W B Hole's "Life of Jesus Christ" |publisher=Bibleillustration.blogspot.com |date=2008-05-26 |accessdate=2012-05-14}}</ref> In April to May 1906 these pictures were shown at an exhibition at the [[Fine Art Society]] in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.exhibitionculture.arts.gla.ac.uk/exhibition.php?eid=1669 |title=Exhibition at the Fine Arts Society, 1906 |publisher=Exhibitionculture.arts.gla.ac.uk |date=1906-08-01 |accessdate=2012-05-14}}</ref> He also painted scenes from the Old Testament.
+In 1898 Hole painted a Processional [[Frieze]] for the entrance hall of the [[Scottish National Portrait Gallery]], showing over 150 figures or "heroes" from Scotland's past. A critic described this work as "one of the most notable essays in mural decoration ever accomplished in this country". He also provided historical paintings for [[Edinburgh City Chambers]] and ecclesiastical decorations for other buildings.<ref name="caw" />
+Around 1900, he travelled to Palestine in order to study the background for biblical painting. There he began working on the 80 watercolours that would eventually appear as illustrations in his book ''The Life of Jesus of Nazareth''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bibleillustration.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-favorite-bible-artist-7.html |title=W B Hole's "Life of Jesus Christ" |publisher=Bibleillustration.blogspot.com |date=2008-05-26 |access-date=2012-05-14}}</ref> In April to May 1906 these pictures were shown at an exhibition at the [[Fine Art Society]] in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.exhibitionculture.arts.gla.ac.uk/exhibition.php?eid=1669 |title=Exhibition at the Fine Arts Society, 1906 |publisher=Exhibitionculture.arts.gla.ac.uk |date=1906-08-01 |access-date=2012-05-14}}</ref> He also painted scenes from the Old Testament.
-In 1898 Hole painted a Processional [[Frieze]] for the entrance hall of the [[Scottish National Portrait Gallery]], showing over 150 figures or "heroes" from Scotland’s past. A critic described this work as "one of the most notable essays in mural decoration ever accomplished in this country". He also provided historical paintings for [[Edinburgh City Chambers]] and ecclesiastical decorations for other buildings.<ref name="caw" />
 Hole drew the black and white illustrations for several books including works by [[Robert Louis Stevenson]], [[J M Barrie]], and [[Robert Burns]].
-In later life he lived at 13 Inverleith Terrace in north Edinburgh, his neighbour at 15 being fellow-artist [[James Cadenhead]].<ref>Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1911&ndash;12</ref>
+In later life he lived at 13 Inverleith Terrace in north Edinburgh, his neighbour at 15 being fellow-artist [[James Cadenhead]].<ref>Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1911&ndash;12.</ref>
 Hole died in Edinburgh in 1917. He is buried in the [[Grange, Edinburgh|Grange Cemetery]] in the ground of James Lindsay in the centre of the north wall. His name is listed at the base of the monument along with other members of the Hole family.
@@ Line 47: / Line 50: @@
 ==Gallery==
 <gallery>
-File:Luke 2-41-50. Jesus goeth up with his parents to the Passover at the age of twelve years; and tarreith behind the temple, seeking instruction from the doctors of the law LOC matpc.23114.jpg|"Jesus... seeking instruction from the doctors of the law" (Luke 2:41-50)
+File:Luke 2-41-50. Jesus goeth up with his parents to the Passover at the age of twelve years; and tarreith behind the temple, seeking instruction from the doctors of the law LOC matpc.23114.jpg|"Jesus... seeking instruction from the [[Finding in the Temple|doctors of the law]]" (Luke 2:41-50)
 File:Luke 2-51, 52. Jesus returneth with his parents to Nazareth where he is subject unto them LOC matpc.23115.jpg|"Jesus returneth with his parents to Nazareth" (Luke 2:51-52)
+File:War of Independence figures by Wm Hole.JPG|[[First War of Scottish Independence]]
+File:Roman generals and emperors closeup in the frieze of the Great Hall of the National Galleries Scotland by William Brassey Hole 1897.jpg|Roman generals and emperors closeup in a frieze at the Great Hall of the [[Scottish National Gallery]]
+File:Saint Columba converting the Picts.jpg|[[Columba|Saint Columba]] converting the Picts
+File:Battle of Largs (detail), 1263.JPG|Battle of Largs
+File:Caledonia by Wm Hole.JPG|Caledonia
 </gallery>
@@ Line 61: / Line 69: @@
 ==External links==
 {{commons category|William Brassey Hole}}
+{{wikisource author}}
-* [http://www.williamhole.co.uk  William Hole Online. News, biography and general information about the artist.]
+* [http://www.williamhole.co.uk William Hole Online. News, biography and general information about the artist.]
 * [http://bibleillustration.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-favorite-bible-artist-7.html William Hole as Bible artist]
 * [http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/resources/collections/specdivision/malist.php?view=cat&id=364&cat=Coll-364 William Hole archive] (Edinburgh University Library)
 * [http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person.php?LinkID=mp10979&role=art Etched portraits by Hole] ([[National Portrait Gallery (London)|National Portrait Gallery]])
-* {{Gutenberg author | id=Hole,+William }}
+* {{Gutenberg author | id=36946}}
 * {{Internet Archive author |sname=William Brassey Hole |birth=1846 |death=1917}}
 * [http://www.artoftheprint.com/artistpages/hole_william_brassey_leith_docks.htm Leith Docks] (1880 etching)
@@ Line 74: / Line 83: @@
 {{Authority control}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Hole, William Brassey}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Hole, William Fergusson}}
 [[Category:People educated at Edinburgh Academy]]
-[[Category:Pre-Raphaelite painters]]
 [[Category:19th-century English painters]]
 [[Category:English male painters]]
@@ Line 88: / Line 96: @@
 [[Category:Royal Scottish Academicians]]
 [[Category:1846 births]]
+[[Category:20th-century English male artists]]
+[[Category:19th-century English male artists]]

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