Talmudic Discussion , 1911
76.5 x 92.5 cm (h x w)
Oil

On long term loan from a Private Collection

Gertler's composition is a direct response to William Rothenstein's Reading the Book of Esther (1907, Manchester Art Gallery), which he admired at the Whitechapel Art Gallery in 1910, subsequently employing the same dark-haired sitter as one of his own models. In palette, technique and setting, however, Gertler diverged from his early mentor's depiction of public religious ceremony to create a more intimate composition, employing earthy tones with rich areas of colour and delighting in including details, such as the still-life of apples. The painting was exhibited at Vanessa Bell's Friday Club at the Alpine Gallery, London, in February 1911. After his first showing there in June 1910, Bell had singled Gertler out as 'promising [...]', commenting, 'he has two rather remarkable paintings, remarkable really only considering his age, but I think he must be going to be good'.

Exhibited by:

Ben Uri Research Unit

Other works by Mark Gertler (1891-1939)

Head of an Old Man , 1913
29.5 x 21.5 cm (h x w)
Pencil on paper
Ben Uri Research Unit
Head of a Girl , 1913
20 x 18 cm (h x w)
Pencil on paper
Ben Uri Research Unit
Head of a Girl , 1913
23 x 18 cm (h x w)
Pencil on paper
Ben Uri Research Unit
Portrait of a Girl (Sophie, the artist's sister) , 1908
58 x 48.5 cm (h x w)
Oil on canvas
Ben Uri Research Unit
Head of a Girl , 1911
32 x 24 cm (h x w)
Pencil on paper
Ben Uri Research Unit

More from Ben Uri Research Unit

Looking Out , 2019
24 x 30 cm (h x w)
acrylic on canvas
Ben Uri Research Unit
On the Road , 2019
122 x 153 cm (h x w)
oil pastel and charcoal
Ben Uri Research Unit
Refugee Girl , 2020
10 x 32 cm (h x w)
Mixed media
Ben Uri Research Unit
Crucifixion at the Border , 2018
90 x 74 cm (h x w)
oil and collage on board
Ben Uri Research Unit
Early Morning , 2020
12 x 35 cm (h x w)
acrylic and pastel on paper
Ben Uri Research Unit