The Artistry of Jerome Witkin
Jerome Witkin is an American figurative painter whose work explores political, social, and cultural themes. His paintings are characterized by a serious approach to portraiture, where he seeks to meld a sitter's social position with a speaking likeness that reveals their inner character. His technique involves an interrelationship of three explorations: the creation of realistic pictorial form through painterly gestures, the exploration of mortality and personal relationships following the death of his father, and visually complex denunciations of human rights issues such as torture, assassination, AIDS, and the Holocaust. Witkin has spent twenty-three years working on his Holocaust series, examining both the victims and the perpetrators of that horror.
His style is described as a mix of elements from the old masters, social realism, and Abstract Expressionism. While his work references these traditions, Witkin has referred to himself as a "cornball humanist." He has expressed a motivation to address the "strange goings-on" of the twentieth century through his art.
Life and Academic Career
Born in Brooklyn, United States, Witkin is the twin brother of photographer Joel Peter Witkin and the father of photographer Christian Witkin. His formal education began at The High School of Music & Art in New York, followed by studies at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Cooper Union, the Berlin Academy, and the University of Pennsylvania. A Pulitzer Traveling Fellowship allowed him to travel and study in Europe.
Throughout his career, Witkin has held several academic positions, including:
His work is held in several permanent collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Uffizi, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Hirshhorn Museum.
Questions & Answers
Is there an overview of all the subjects Jerome Witkin painted?
The Subject Atlas of Jerome Witkin is a page that maps the artist's artworks by their subjects.
What moods do Jerome Witkin's artworks express?
The Mood Room of Jerome Witkin is a page that arranges the artist's artworks by mood.
Is there a 3D virtual tour of Jerome Witkin's works?
Jerome Witkin's artworks can be seen in a 3D gallery on the artist's 3D Museum page.
Where are Jerome Witkin's artworks grouped by palette?
To find works by Jerome Witkin in a specific palette, use the artist's By Palettes page.
