Braintree Fair, Essex
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fine art painting
fine art painting
fine art painting
fine art painting
fine art painting
fine art painting
fine art painting
fine art painting

John Holland Snr

British, (1830-1886)
Braintree Fair, Essex
Oil on canvas, signed
Provenance: Frost & Reed

A lively painting of an annual town fair near Braintree, Essex by John Holland Snr. The middle of the scene shows a crowd of figures dancing on the green next to the Kings Head Inn whilst others watch on. In the foreground, people can be seen conversing with sellers and other visitors.

John Holland Senior was a painter of landscapes and coastal scenes who was born in Nottingham around 1830. He was the son of a painter and brother to Samuel Holland also a painter and sign writer. He was also uncle to his namesake John Holland (1857-1920) whom he taught to work in charcoal and Samuel S. Holland, both of whom were artists.

By 1861, he had become a full time artist exhibiting at Suffolk Street from around this time until 1879, at the British Institution between 1865-1866 as well as exhibiting locally in Nottingham. He never married and lived for many years with his father, brother and his family at Vernon Street, Nottingham. Around 1867, he moved to Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire where he exhibited locally. He would also often travel around the British countryside and coast to paint.

He spent a few years in West Yorkshire but by 1871 had moved back to live with his family in Nottingham. However, he spent his final years living at Trebray Lodge, Tintagel, Cornwall where he died on 7 February 1886.

A number of his works are held by the Buxton Museum, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Nottingham Art Gallery and the Williamson Art Gallery.

© Benton Fine Art

Presentation The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition. The reverse bears a label for Frost & Reed, a well-known fine Art Gallery, frame maker and fine art publisher founded in Bristol in 1808 by William Hill. The business was bought by John Frost in 1859 who ran it until his death in 1875. His nephew Walter Frost took over the business and in 1881 brought in William Reed as a partner. They opened a branch in London in 1908 at Duke Street, St James’s, later relocating to 26c Kings Street in 1927. After the building was damaged by bombing in 1943 they moved to 41, New Bond Street. Since the turn of the millennium they have been based in King Street.
Condition As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having just been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

Dimensions

Image Size 13.25 inches x 20.5 inches (34cm x 52cm)
Framed Size 19 inches x 26.25 inches (48cm x 66.5cm)
£4,600.00