Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hollins, John
HOLLINS, JOHN (1798–1855), painter and associate of the Royal Academy, born in Birmingham, 1 June 1798, was the son of a painter in that town. He showed an early devotion to art, and in 1819 sent two portraits to the exhibition of the Royal Academy, and three more in 1821. In 1822 he removed to London. From 1825 to 1827 he was in Italy. On his return he resumed practice in London, and became a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy and the British Institution. Besides portraits he painted numerous historical subjects from the works of Shakespeare, Goethe, and other writers. Later in life he applied himself to landscapes and figure subjects. He was successful in his colour and grouping, and his portraits were considered good likenesses. In 1842 he was elected an associate of the Royal Academy. Hollins painted a picture (engraved by J. H. Robinson) called ‘A Consultation previous to an Aerial Voyage from London to Weilburg in Nassau on November 7th, 1836,’ in which he introduced portraits of Messrs. W. Prideaux, W. M. James, T. Monck Mason, Charles Green, the aeronaut, Robert Hollond, M.P. for Hastings from 1837 to 1852, and himself. In 1854 he painted and exhibited (in conjunction with F. R. Lee, R.A.) a picture called ‘Salmon Fishing on the Awe,’ in which he introduced portraits of several noted persons at the time. In the National Portrait Gallery there is a portrait of Lord Tenterden, copied by Hollins from a portrait by W. Owen. Hollins died unmarried in Berners Street, 7 March 1855. William and Peter Hollins [see under Hollins, William] were his cousins.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Ottley's Dict. of Painters; Royal Academy Catalogues.]