James Holland, O.W.S. (Burslem, Staffordshire 1800-1870 London)

Holland first exhibited a view of Venice at the Old Water-Colour Society in 1836, immediately following his first visit to the city. The watercolour was bought by John James Ruskin, John Ruskin's father. Ruskin only made a brief reference to Holland in his writings, as a painter of calm water; however, he first noticed the artist in 1836 and so was presumably refering to his father's watercolour. He continued to paint scenes from Venice, exhibiting numerous views of the city right up until 1869, the year before his death.