Stained Glass Study : the Three Wise Men Presenting Their Gifts

Henry Holiday (1839 – 1927) was a painter as well as an established stained-glass artist who completed commissions for churches both in England and America. In 1855 he was the youngest student of painting at the Royal Academy Schools, and like many young artists was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite painters. He was encouraged by critic John Ruskin (1819 – 1898). In 1862 Holiday's career as a stained-glass artist was launched when he succeeded the artist Edward Burne-Jones (1833 – 1898) as the designer for the glass manufacturing company Messrs. Powell and Sons. He was also an illustrator, his most important illustrations being the ones he made for Lewis Carroll's book 'The Hunting of the Snark'. As well as Holiday’s very important painting ‘Dante and Beatrice’ (WAG 3125; Room 08) the collection includes over 300 drawings and watercolours. There are studies of figures, animals and stained-glass designs which show Holiday’s technique as a draughtsman.