Writing in his book Dictionary of Sea Painters, E.H.H. Archibald, former Curator of Paintings at the National Maritime Museum, describes Francis Holman as “…one of the major marine painters of the 18th century”. Little is known about his background and career; it has been suggested that the family were of Cornish origin but Holman was born in 1729 in Ramsgate on the Kent coast. His father, also Francis, was a master mariner and his younger brother John became a captain and continued in the family marine business.
His artistic training is not recorded but the family’s strong ties in the maritime world undoubtedly provided him with a knowledge and understanding of everything associated with shipping, as well as useful connections. His earliest known works are ship portraits which would likely have been commissioned by ships’ captains and owners. From 1768 he lived at several addresses in the Shadwell area of east London, close to Wapping and Blackwall Docks which were frequent subjects. His 1784 painting A view of Blackwall Yard from the Thames made £110,000 (hammer) at Christie’s on 7th December 2018, lot 246. He also painted naval engagements, particularly actions from the American War of Independence. Holman exhibited at Free Society of Artists between 1767 and 1772 and Royal Academy between 1774 and 1784.
Holman’s works often display a low horizon, recognising the strong influence of the Dutch sea painters such as Willem van de Velde the Younger (1633-1707). He was highly skilled at capturing ships in great detail whilst sensitive to observing light, atmosphere and the movement of sea. Today his works are considered valuable historical records of maritime life in the eighteenth century. He is also noted as being the teacher of Thomas Luny (1759-1837) who became a famous maritime artist of the Napoleonic period.
Examples by Holman are held in the following major institutions and collections: National Maritime Museum, Tate Britain, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Ferens Art Gallery in Hull, Government Art Collection, Yale Center for British Art, Peabody Museum in Salem and Library of New South Wales in Sydney.