Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook, CM
, O.Ont
(7 November 1913 – 23 February 2009) was a Canadian portrait sculptor, medal
designer and liturgical artist. She co-founded the Canadian Portrait Academy
and the Canadian Group of Art Medalists.
, on November 7, 1913 the great-great-granddaughter of John Willson
, she was a student of sculptor Emanuel Hahn
1937-1938. Holbrook studied at the Ontario College of Art, Royal College of Art
in London England 1936 and at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan at the studio of Carl Milles
1948.
For short time she was an Art Lecturer in Sculpture at Dundas Valley School of Art 1964, 1968. She was a lecturer of sculpture at the Burlington
Cultural Centre 1990-1993 and at McMaster University
, Faculty of Arts in Hamilton, Ontario 1995-1999. Holbrook’s portrait sculptures are represented in over 50 public collections worldwide.
Her works include the bronze 24' standing figure of a Royal Military College of Canada
cadet 1979 (later known as ‘Brucie’), which was a gift of the Royal Military College Club. She also produced a bronze bust of Colonel George Stanley
, a former Royal Military College professor, who designed the Canadian Flag.
; Ellen Fairclough
; John Diefenbaker
; Emanuel Hahn
; Henry Moore
; among many others. Her last commissioned sculptures were that of Conrad Black
and his wife Barbara Amiel
created in 2000 and 2002 respectively.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, O.Ont
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
(7 November 1913 – 23 February 2009) was a Canadian portrait sculptor, medal
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
designer and liturgical artist. She co-founded the Canadian Portrait Academy
Canadian Portrait Academy
The Canadian Portrait Academy , is a professional Canadian art academy dedicated to the practice and appreciation of portraiture within Canada and abroad.-History:...
and the Canadian Group of Art Medalists.
Education and training
Born in Hamilton, OntarioHamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, on November 7, 1913 the great-great-granddaughter of John Willson
John Willson
John Willson was a judge and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in New Jersey in 1776. He arrived in the Niagara District around 1789 and settled in Saltfleet Township, where he became a farmer, in 1797. In 1809, he was elected to the 5th Parliament of Upper Canada in a by-election in...
, she was a student of sculptor Emanuel Hahn
Emanuel Hahn
Emanuel Otto Hahn was a German-born Canadian sculptor and coin designer. He taught and later married Elizabeth Wyn Wood. He co-founded and was the first president of the Sculptors' Society of Canada....
1937-1938. Holbrook studied at the Ontario College of Art, Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
in London England 1936 and at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan at the studio of Carl Milles
Carl Milles
Carl Milles was a Swedish sculptor, best known for his fountains. He was married to artist Olga Milles and brother to Ruth Milles and half brother to the architect Evert Milles...
1948.
For short time she was an Art Lecturer in Sculpture at Dundas Valley School of Art 1964, 1968. She was a lecturer of sculpture at the Burlington
Burlington, Ontario
Burlington , is a city located in Halton Region at the western end of Lake Ontario. Burlington is part of the Greater Toronto Area, and is also included in the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. Physically, Burlington lies between the north shore of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment...
Cultural Centre 1990-1993 and at McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
, Faculty of Arts in Hamilton, Ontario 1995-1999. Holbrook’s portrait sculptures are represented in over 50 public collections worldwide.
Her works include the bronze 24' standing figure of a Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
cadet 1979 (later known as ‘Brucie’), which was a gift of the Royal Military College Club. She also produced a bronze bust of Colonel George Stanley
George Stanley
Colonel George Francis Gillman Stanley, OC, CD, KStJ, DPhil, FRSC, FRHistS, FRHSC was a historian, author, soldier, teacher, public servant, and designer of the current Canadian flag.-Career:...
, a former Royal Military College professor, who designed the Canadian Flag.
Subjects
HM Queen Elizabeth II; William OslerWilliam Osler
Sir William Osler, 1st Baronet was a physician. He was one of the "Big Four" founding professors at Johns Hopkins Hospital as the first Professor of Medicine and founder of the Medical Service there. Sir William Osler, 1st Baronet (July 12, 1849 – December 29, 1919) was a physician. He was...
; Ellen Fairclough
Ellen Fairclough
Ellen Louks Fairclough, was the first female member of the Canadian Cabinet.Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Fairclough was a chartered accountant by training, and ran an accounting firm prior to entering politics...
; John Diefenbaker
John Diefenbaker
John George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963...
; Emanuel Hahn
Emanuel Hahn
Emanuel Otto Hahn was a German-born Canadian sculptor and coin designer. He taught and later married Elizabeth Wyn Wood. He co-founded and was the first president of the Sculptors' Society of Canada....
; Henry Moore
Henry Moore
Henry Spencer Moore OM CH FBA was an English sculptor and artist. He was best known for his semi-abstract monumental bronze sculptures which are located around the world as public works of art....
; among many others. Her last commissioned sculptures were that of Conrad Black
Conrad Black
Conrad Moffat Black, Baron Black of Crossharbour, OC, KCSG, PC is a Canadian-born member of the British House of Lords, and a historian, columnist and publisher, who was for a time the third largest newspaper magnate in the world. Lord Black controlled Hollinger International, Inc...
and his wife Barbara Amiel
Barbara Amiel
Barbara Joan Estelle Amiel, Baroness Black of Crossharbour is a British-Canadian journalist, writer, and socialite. She is also the wife of former media baron and convicted felon Conrad Black.-Early life:...
created in 2000 and 2002 respectively.
Architectural sculptures
Federal Building, Hamilton, Ontario. Eight large mezzo relief stone panels depicting wildlife and industry.Awards and honours
- 1935 Awarded the Lieutenant Governor's Medal for Painting at the Ontario College of Art (second recipient)
- 1969 Awarded the Gold Medal for Portraiture from National Sculpture Society of New York
- 1977 Awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee MedalQueen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee MedalThe Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal created in 1977 to mark the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II...
- 1987 Awarded "Woman of the Year in the Arts" from the City of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- 1994 Awarded Member Hamilton Hall of Distinction
- 1982 Awarded the Ontario Society of Arts Award
- 1992 Awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada MedalThe 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal is a commemorative medal struck by the Royal Canadian Mint celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada...
- 1996 Appointment as Fellow, Ontario College of Art & DesignOntario College of Art & DesignOCAD University is Canada's largest and oldest educational institution for art and design. It is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on McCaul Street beside the Art Gallery of Ontario...
- 1997 Appointment to the Order of OntarioOrder of OntarioThe Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
- 1997 Appointment as Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
- 1997 Awarded Honourary Doctorate by McMaster University