Brittany Pen and Ink Sketch
Breton Women by Sonia Hanford 1925-2010
A charming scene of Breton women in traditional dress of the area going about
their early morning shopping. Two in the foreground carrying a lidded milk
churn, the other with an arm full of baguettes, imagine the wonderful smell.
Sonia Hanford was born to Russian Jewish parents who settled in England in the
early 1900’s. Sonia was educated at Clapham County Girls school and later at
Wimbledon School of Art (1942-1945) under Lionel Ellis (1903-1988) where she
received the painting with merit award. She travelled widely during her life
beginning with France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Russia and the USA. She
exhibited at Wands Worth Town Hall in 1963, Moriarty’s Wine Bar, West Hampstead
and Shaftsbury Art Centre in 2004. She also had an extensive teaching career at
Sydenham School for Girls, White Chapel Art Gallery, Ball Park College of
Education, St Albans School for Boys and Hampstead comprehensive. Major
influences on her work: Picasso, Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Cezanne and Van
Gogh.
Signed and titled lower right, presented within a glazed wood frame with cream
mount, artists label and signature verso
Size including frame: L42.5cm H56cm