George Swinford, the husband of the much loved artist, Dora Holzhandler has informed us that she very sadly died on 8th October.
Dora Holzandler
Little Girl with Roses, 2000 (oil on canvas)
Dora was one of the first contemporary artists to sign up with Bridgeman Images and has been one of our most popular Bridgeman artists for many years. As Philip Vann, her biographer pointed out, ‘ Dora recreates – or remembers – the world in all its poetic immanence’. Her enchanting, richly decorative paintings, sparkling with intricately detailed patterns, often depict the timeless Jewish world, her own childhood in Paris and London, lovers embracing, children and families, motherhood and religious contemplation.
Mother and Child in the Park, 1997 (oil on canvas)
Ice Cream Vendor, Menorca, 1986
Their subject matter reflects the gentle, perceptive and yet humorous side of Dora with her great love of family and humanity generally, supported by strong spiritual values . She was always a very popular figure at the parties we gave for our artists and she will be sorely missed. Our sympathy goes out to her family.
Harriet Bridgeman, CBE
Summer Lovers (oil on canvas)
“Dora Holzhandler was a prolific artist, who contributed greatly to the archive. Her colourful images detailed a world full of love, focusing on the enduring relationships formed during her life. I find Dora’s works referencing her Franco-Jewish ancestry particularly intriguing and an unusual subject matter depicted in a contemporary way.”