Artists Illustrating Boys' Fashions: James Holmes (England, 1777-1860)



Figure 1.--This English boy in 1840 wears a blue suit, but little detail is shown except a broad open white collar with lace trim. Note the longish natiarally curly hair. He looks to be 8-9 years old.

James Holmes is best known for his portraits of Byron in 1815 and a splendid one of George IV, completed in 1828. Holmes was also the founder and first President of the Society of British Artists. We note a splendid water color on ivory that was exhibited in the Royal Academy in 1840. We do no know the identity of the boy.

The Artist

HBC knows relatively little about James Holmes. He was a watercolour artist and miniaturist, who had some experience of stipple engraving and lithography. Holmes was also the founder and first President of the Society of British Artists in 1829. He is best known for his portraits of Byron in 1815 and a splendid one of George IV, completed in 1828. Especially the portrait of the King suggest that he was a an artist of considerable reputation in England.

The Portrait

The watercolor portrait seen here was on ivory. It was painted by Holmes in 1840. The piece measures 2-1/2" by 3" and is in a sealed gilt frame covered by convex glass.

The Boy

Unfortunately, we do not know the identity of the boy in the pofrtarit. He looks to be 8-9 years old. His clothing and the fact that an accomplished artist did his portrait suggest that he came from an affluent family.

Clothing

This English boy in 1840 wears a blue suit, but little detail is shown except a broad open white collar with lace trim.

Hair Style

Note the longish natiarally curly hair.







Christopher Wagner





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Created: April 4, 2002
Last updated: April 4, 2002