A Portrait of James Holmes , manager of the Makeant Cotton Mill to Sir Robert Peel

Period: 1800-1900

Origin: England

Medium: Oil on canvas ( framed )

Dimension: 80 x 68.5 cm (31¹/₂ x 27 inches)

Literature: A gilt plaque on the reverse of the painting states : 'James Holmes : confidential manager to the 'great' Sir Robert Peel , Prime Minister of England , at the 'Makeant Mill ,' Heywood . The mill , which was built for the Peel family in 1780 is shown in the picture . It has since been rebuilt and is now known as Roach Mills . The portrait was painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence P.R.A about 1825 for Sir Robert Peel , who gave it to James Holmes , and from the latters grandson James Jonathan Holmes it came to Richard Heape in 1902 .'
This interesting early 19 th century oil depicts a Lancashire industrial mill manager with a skien of best cotton between his hands , the product of the factory shown in the distant landscape . The painting clearly approving of the trusted employee of the great industrial magnate and brilliant politician of the Tory party Sir Robert Peel .