Edward Harry Handley-Read Paintings

Edward Harry Handley-Read, known as Harry Handley-Read, was an influential British art historian, collector, and authority on Victorian art and architecture, particularly noted for his work on the Gothic Revival. Born in 1928, his passion for art history emerged early in his life, and he went on to make significant contributions to the field.

Handley-Read's scholarly work and his wife Joanne's keen interest in art and design led them to become prominent figures within the Victorian revival of the 1960s. They were known for their discerning eye for Victorian art, and they amassed an impressive collection of Victorian decorative arts. Their collection included works by some of the era's most significant designers and artists, such as William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Throughout his career, Handley-Read wrote extensively on Victorian art, contributing to a reevaluation of the period which had previously been dismissed by many. His writings helped to resurrect an appreciation for Victorian aesthetics and played an essential role in the renaissance of interest in 19th-century art. He lectured at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London and was involved with various heritage and preservation societies, advocating for the conservation of Victorian architecture.

Tragically, Harry Handley-Read's life was cut short in 1971 when he committed suicide. His death was a significant loss to the art historical community. After his passing, his wife Joanne continued to champion Victorian art and worked to ensure that their collection was preserved. Their legacy persists through the objects they collected, many of which are now housed in museums, and through the continued interest and scholarship in Victorian art and design that they helped to foster.