See the bottom of this page for news of showings of Danniel H. Eisman Paintings

On this web page, you will find an exhibit of the paintings of Daniel H. Eisman. Danny was a painter who at the time of his death was beginning to be recognized in both the Philadelphia and Baltimore areas. His work has been shown in several area synagogues, businesses and private collections.

Self-trained, Danny preferred to work with acrylic using a wide pallet and employing the brush as the medium for mixing colors and obtaining gradations of color combinations. The canvases show his unusual sense of color and form.  

Danny steadfastly refused to explain any of his works or, with a few exceptions, even to give them titles. The titles that have been given are barely evocative of the wide range of emotions indicated in these colorful canvases. Rather than explain, he suggested that we enter into the painting and see beyond the color and form for our own interpretation. This has been likened to looking at various cloud formations to see what images appear. Like clouds, no two people see exactly the same thing and the vision is constantly changing. What is so different here is, of course, color. What Danny created can truly be called Technicolor Clouds.

Danny, 1994

Daniel Hirsh Eisman was a Down Syndrome man who graduated from the Special Education department of Norristown High School, Norristown PA. Until the onset of leukemia he worked at the North Penn Training Center in Lansdale, PA., and was a member of Temple Sinai in Dresher, PA..

He started seriously painting in acrylic in 1992 and quickly found a distinctive style which he continued to modify throughout his career. Even after beginning chemotherapy he continued to paint. During the last weeks of his life he began to shift his attention and painted impressions of the visible world around him. This is most clearly seen in the LION KING painting in this exhibit.

In his life, Danny showed that limits do not necessarily mean limitations. He was able to transcend his limits and through his art give us a vision of the human soul. That is ultimately what every artist does. He succeeds as a human being who was a gifted artist.

	(Please note it is hoped that a full catalogue may eventually be created.  A number of his paintings were given to various people and institutions during his lifetime.  If any of the people who have his paintings will send me photographs I will include them on the web site.  Please send to Michael M. Eisman, 2006 Naomi's Court, North Wales, PA 19454 or to m.eisman@ temple.edu.  Thank you.)
Danny at work in the fall of 1998

 THE PAINTINGS OF DANIEL H. EISMAN

    The painting are presented in roughly chronological order as you move from gallery to gallery.  This means that some of the most interesting painting are the later galleries.  The first gallery starts with an early painting that is completely unique in the work that Danny painted. Measurements are in inches. 

 Note: Titles in capital letters are those that were given by the painter. These were rare and only given in response to a direct request. More often the only response was that it was a painting. Titles in quotation marks are those of the owner of the painting for identification purposes.

Gallery Plan

To access the paintings click on the gallery you wish to see.  Each gallery has about three paintings, some with detail photographs. Click here to go to Gallery 1. Gallery plan by Mnesikles.

PREVIEW:

Creation (see Gallery 2)

Burning Bush   (see Gallery 3)

UNTITLED  "Spring"   (see Gallery 3)

Operatic Scene (see Gallery 5)

The paintings shown here are not for sale, but it is hoped that as many people as possible will see them.  Please feel free to download anything here and reproduce it for personal enjoyment.  Images are the property of the owners and no commercial use should be made of them.  Exhibitions are planned on a yearly basis at no charge to the exhibitors.  If your organization would like to have an exhibit please contact Michael Eisman at the above address or e-mail.

NEWS:    NEW SHOW

                From February to the beginning of April, 2006, there is a showing of seven of Danny's canvases at Congregation Melrose B'Nai Israel at 2nd and  Cheltenham Ave., Cheltenham, Pa.  The paintings are in the foyer and can be seen during the week from 10-3 or anytime there is a function at the synagogue.

The following article appeared in the Fall 2004 issue of Reform Judaism, page 80.

Many people have written with their comments.  I keep all of them, but one letter I received recently is a comment of more general interest, particularly given the position of the writer:

I have spent some time looking at the >very powerful paintings by your son, Daniel.  What a wonderful legacy he left for you. How understandable that he resisted the urges to title the works - their force lies in the evocation of feeling in the viewer as well as being a vehicle for that of the artist.
 

As Jackson Pollock said:

'I think they (the viewers) should not look for, but look passively - and try to receive what the painting has to offer and not bring
a subject matter or preconceived idea of what they are to be looking for.' (JP >interview with William Wright, 1950).

Daniel's works offer a journey into the canvas, for which I am grateful to you.

Best wishes,

Dr Mary Pryor
History of Art
Powis Gate
University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen AB24 3UB
Scotland
 

A major showing of Daniel's paintings was held a Gratz College in Elkins Park, PA from April 29, through June 17.2002.  Over 2500 people saw the exhibit.  College president Dr. Jonathan Rosenbaum noted that many people came back a second time to see the paintings and that he had the pleasure of taking a number of people through the exhibit himself.  

At present there are no further plans for an exhibit this year.  If you know of an organization that would like to host an exhibit please have them contact Michael M. Eisman at m.eisman@temple.edu

In 2004, two public lectures were given to Haddash chapters about Danny's life and work.

Click Here for Gallery 1.

last entry:  temporary additions to Gallery 10: March 13, 2006; new items March 13, 2006.