Feel the passion of William Brassey Hole in our art prints.

To become a famous artist was the wish of the young William Brassey Hole from an early age. But in 19th century Scotland it was common practice to put one's dreams aside and follow the wishes of one's parents. So his mother - his father had died of cholera when William was only three years old - let him train as a civil engineer. William was quite talented and even designed his own steam engine as a kind of examination paper. After five years of training, the 23-year-old turned his back on technology and set off on a long journey through Italy. For six months he recorded his impressions in drawings. When he showed his work to the English painter Keeley Halswelle in Rome, he encouraged William, who was still undecided, to finally dedicate himself to art. It was the beginning of a career in which William Brassey Hole would become one of the most famous English artists. His paintings with biblical and historical motifs, but also his detailed etchings and engravings, were soon to receive great recognition.

Back in his native Edinburgh, William first attended the School of Design and was then accepted by the Royal Scottish Academy as a student. After his first official exhibition, the young painter only had a steep uphill climb. He became so valuable for the renowned academy that he was rewarded with a permanent position. His private happiness soon followed. William conquered the heart of the attractive Elizabeth Lindsay, the daughter of the writer James Lindsay. Lizzie, as he affectionately called his wife, gave him access to Edinburgh's intellectual circles. Many writers gathered in their shared house on Saxe Coburg Place, including Robert Louis Stevenson's cousin, who had written an all-time bestseller, Treasure Island, in his novel Treasure Island. Later, William also made a portrait of this world-famous author.

William Brassey Hole was recognized as a painter, now he was looking for a new challenge. He worked himself into the technique of etching and was able to achieve great success with it. For the university publishers T. and A. Constable he etched portraits of the most important professors and produced a large number of illustrations which were published in scientific books. Since he had only achieved his dream of becoming an artist in a roundabout way, he wanted to make it easier for future generations. In his spacious studio on Picardie Square, he set up a private art school, which helped many students to start a professional career as an artist. He also accepted female students, which was very unusual and almost revolutionary for the second half of the 19th century.

His work and commitment has also been honoured with many academic awards. William Brassey Hole was elected to the Royal Society of Painters and Etchers (RE) and the Royal Scottish Watercolour Society (RSW). His appointment as a full member of the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) is considered the highest recognition of his life's work.