Lot 27: Francis Holman (Ramsgate 1729-1790 Wapping)

Francis Holman (Ramsgate 1729-1790 Wapping)
An outward-bound '74' carrying an Admiral of the Blue beating down the Channel past Falmouth Bay on a blustery day, with a naval cutter approaching the man-o'war's stern quarter, perhaps with urgent despatches
oil on canvas
25 x 42 in. (63.5 x 106.7 cm.)

with The Rutland Gallery, London

Although the stern of the cutter is clearly painted with the word 'Falmouth', no cutter of this name ever served with the Royal Navy. It seems likely therefore that the artist has helpfully made use of the name to pinpoint the location of this particularly expressive work.

The son of a master mariner, Francis Holman was born in Ramsgate in 1729. His younger brother Capt. John Holman (1733-1816) ran the family shipping business, so Holman was immersed in the maritime world from a young age. His early works were mostly portraits of ships commissioned by their captains, but later on he concentrated on painting ships of the Royal Navy. Known to history for being the teacher of the maritime artist, Thomas Luny, his unerring attention to detail and knowledge of the subject have left us with a valuable record of 18th century maritime life.