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Sir Charles John Holmes

(1868-1936), Painter and critic; Director successively of the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery

Sitter in 4 portraits
Artist associated with 4 portraits
In the 1890s Holmes was a prolific etcher, influenced by Charles Ricketts. He was the second editor of the Burlington (1903-1909) and Slade Professor of Fine Art at Oxford (1904-1910). As editor he initiated the Burlington's tradition of campaigning editorials on political issues in the art world. In 1909 he succeeded Lionel Cust as Director of the National Portrait Gallery. In the 19th century tradition he was a member of a dynasty of artist-bureaucrats, and was the last Director of the National Gallery (1916-1928) to combine the post with an active life as a painter of landscapes in watercolour and oil. He was knighted in 1921.

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Sir Robert Drury, traced by Sir Charles John Holmes, after  Unknown artist - NPG D49397

Sir Robert Drury

traced by Sir Charles John Holmes, after Unknown artist
pencil on tracing paper, 6 November 1911, based on a work of circa 1555
NPG D49397

Sir Dru Drury, 2nd Bt of Riddlesworth, traced by Sir Charles John Holmes, after  Unknown artist - NPG D49398

Sir Dru Drury, 2nd Bt of Riddlesworth

traced by Sir Charles John Holmes, after Unknown artist
pencil on tracing paper, 6 November 1911, based on a work of circa 1600
NPG D49398

George Wade, by Sir Charles John Holmes, after  Jean Baptiste van Loo - NPG D1707

George Wade

by Sir Charles John Holmes, after Jean Baptiste van Loo
pencil, 6 February 1911
NPG D1707

Frederick Richard Pickersgill, by Sir Charles John Holmes, after  John Edgar Williams - NPG D6552

Frederick Richard Pickersgill

by Sir Charles John Holmes, after John Edgar Williams
pencil, 1911 (1864)
NPG D6552

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