Background
Holm initially followed in the footsteps of his father as an engraver and illustrator.
Holm initially followed in the footsteps of his father as an engraver and illustrator.
He had almost certainly been a pupil of C. J. Thomsen who insisted on accuracy and detail, qualities which are reflected in his own work. As a result, Holm quickly became a master of his genre, not only as an illustrator but in the difficult technique of watercolour painting. He began to specialize in illustrating prospectuses, often sketching areas and buildings of interest before making multiple copies at home, often with minor variations.
He sometimes produced skeleton drawings which he later coloured with watercolour.
His subjects were taken mainly from the streets and squares of Copenhagen, comprising castles and churches, the stock exchange, the university, as well as views of the city from vantage points such as Rundetårn. In addition, he produced a series of works covering the surrounding countryside, for example the collection Sjællands yndigste Egne (1826-1828).
Many of his plates appeared in magazines such as Magazin for Ungdommen (1839-1840), its successor Cosmorama (1840-1843), and Nyt Magazin for Natur og Menneskekundskab (1848). He also illustrated prospectuses for the Royal Procelain Factory, especially in regard to designs for tea and coffee cups.
Despite Holm"s high rate of productivity, he constantly suffered from lack of money, which frequently drove him to drink.