Lot 1397: Frank Holl R.A., A.R.W.S. (1845-1888) "The London Flower Seller", a Young Mother and Child on the Steps of a Church on Regent Street Signed and dated "May 1863", oil on canvas, 61cm by 46cm (24in by 18in * This example shows Holl at his brilliant

Frank Holl R.A., A.R.W.S. (1845-1888) "The London Flower Seller", a Young Mother and Child on the Steps of a Church on Regent Street Signed and dated "May 1863", oil on canvas, 61cm by 46cm (24in by 18in * This example shows Holl at his brilliant best, as his speciality was for depicting social realism and here we see the hardship that this young mother and her small daughter must be suffering. The date on this painting is 1863 but in 1864 he exhibited a work at the Royal Academy entitled "Turned Out of Church" (No.526), this may possibly be the picture. The artist's first "large" painting entitled "A Mother and Child" was also a portrayal of working class poverty and again, like much of the artist's work, reflected his social upbringing. However he was criticised by some of the Victorian establishments for the political content of his work so agreed to paint biblical subjects to win back favour from the Royal Academy committee members, eventually receiving a gold medal. After his success he is said to have told a friend that he would never again paint pictures that he did not have an empathy with.