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Artist: James Holland (1799-1870)

Title: Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli

Subject: Two lovers sit along a Venice canal while workers repair the ancient church.

Medium: watercolor and gum arabic.

Signed: initialed lower left and dated 1863.

Artwork Size: 15.5″ x 9.5″

Frame Size: unknown

Date of Creation: 1863

Region of Origin: Europe

Provenance: Boise, ID estate

Biography: Holland was born in Burslem, Staffordshire England, where at age 12 he began painting flowers on pottery with his father at pottery works of William Davenport in Longport for 7 years. He then moved to London and began giving art lessons while continuing pottery painting. He began exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1824 and traveled extensively around Western Europe, illustrating books and annuals. Generally a watercolorist, he was also skilled in oil painting. He is considered one of the finest colorists of the English school. Though much of his work was neglected during his lifetime, post death it became much sought after, especially his Venice scenes. He ceased to exhibit in 1857 and passed away in London in 1870.

Price: $5000