Collections

After the death of his father [Richard Brassey Hole (c.1818/9-1849)] who had been a physician, William Hole came to Edinburgh with his Scottish mother as a young child. He studied at Edinburgh University and became an apprentice engineer before deciding to pursue a career in Fine Art. In circa 1868 he began to study at the Edinburgh School of Art (the former Trustees Academy) and at the RSA Life School. In the late 1880's he began his etching career and soon became involved in commissions to reproduce the work of the Barbizon and Dutch Schools. He is also particularly known for his mural paintings notably his mural decorations based on scenes and figures from Scottish History in the National Portrait Gallery which he executed from 1897 until 1901. His interest in Christian imagery and biblical scenes manifested itself in his illustrations to a "Life of Jesus of Nazareth" published in 1906 drawing on a series of drawings that Hole had made during a visit to the Holy Land in 1902. Hole exhibited at the RSA from 1866 until 1916. He became an Associate Member in 1878 and an Academician in 1889.