Ben Uri Celebrates Gertler Acquisition

LONDON'S Ben Uri Gallery is celebrating the purchase of an important work by Mark Gertler. The drawing, "Rabbi and Rabbitzin," was to have been auctioned at Sotheby's on Wednesday, but the gallery agreed a private sale
beforehand.

Because of strong interest in the 1914 work, the gallery is believed to have paid significantly more than Sotheby's £15,000-£20,000 estimate. It was assisted by grants from Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Arts Collection and the V&A/Resource, plus "generous" private donations.

Delighted Ben Uri chairman David Glasser told the JC: "The collection of any museum is its core asset. "Once our council knew of the availability of the work, we agreed that no effort should be spared to acquire it. It has long been a matter of regret for us that in 1984, the gallery felt obliged to
sell Gertler's 'Merry-Go-Round' to the Tate. That ghost has now finally been laid." 

Mark Gertler was born in London's East End in 1891 to recent
Jewish immigrants. Displaying an early talent for drawing, he received a grant from the Jewish Educational Aid Society to study at the Slade School of Art. Many of his early works depict East End subjects, and he once remarked that
he relied on his excellent Yiddish to find sitters. The new acquisition featured in the Gertler exhibition, staged at the Ben Uri's new St John's Wood premises last October.

"Rabbi and Rabbitzin" had been in the family of Lord Hutchinson since 1915, when it was bought for £10. A
similar Gertler drawing is in the British Museum.

With thanks to The Jewish Chronicle and thejc.com