Recognition of Portraitist in Her Own Right Dora Reed Hollowell

Tennessean Dora Reed Hollowell (Mrs Landon B Hollowell) at the turn of the century was an accomplished artist who as a woman did not recieve the recognition that her close cousins renowned artists William Brown Cooper and Washington Bogart Cooper did. The talented brothers were sought after by politicians and notables to memorialize their image.

Dora painted closer to hearth and home capturing the essence of translucent ethereal light on blushing apple cheeks, the quiet thoughtfulness within soulful eyes, the breezy lightness of lace.

Within the painting Dora lessens the constraints of more's and realism creating movement in the stylized texture of carpet and the mere outline of pink shoes promises the child's patience will not stand still forever. She is already whirling and skipping away. 

Dora's mastery of her maternal and artistic mediums is evident in capturing the vulnerability and innocence in the lifelike portraits of her own daughters Sadie and Bessie Hollowell. 

There are other weighty heirlooms with clean lines transitioning from the Empire period desk, the simplicity and beauty of a Southern handcrafted Chest of Drawers, into celebrating the rich depth of wood in the art nouveau period sideboard. 

From Sterling to Christian Dior there are more photographs to come.