James Holland, O.W.S. (1799-1870)

Holland first exhibited a view of Venice at the O.W.S in 1836, immediately following his first visit to the city. The watercolour was bought by John James Ruskin, John Ruskin's father. Ruskin only made a brief reference to Holland in his writings, as a painter of calm water; however, he first noticed the artist in 1836 and so was presumably refering to his father's watercolour. The following year Holland exhibited three views of Venice, among them this spectacular sunset.