Early Life and Career

Mark Gertler (born Marks Gertler; December 9, 1891), a British painter of figure subjects, portraits, and still-life, was born in Spitalfields, London. His early life and relationship with Dora Carrington were the inspiration for Gilbert Cannan’s novel Mendel. Gertler's forename was anglicised from "marks" to "mark" in 1896, when his family joined his father in London. Gertler showed signs of a great talent for drawing from an early age. He enrolled in art classes at Regent Street Polytechnic in 1906 but was forced to drop out due to poverty. In 1908, he began working as an apprentice at Clayton & Bell, a stained glass company, while attending evening classes at the polytechnic.

Rise to Prominence and Notable Works

Gertler’s career took off when he was placed third in a national art competition in 1908. He then enrolled at Slade School of Art in London, where he became a contemporary of notable artists like Paul Nash, Edward Wadsworth, and Sir Stanley Spencer. Gertler's patrons included Lady Ottoline Morrell, who introduced him to Walter Sickert, the leader of the Camden Town Group. His success as a painter of society portraits was short-lived due to his temperamental manner and devotion to advancing his work according to his own vision, leading to personal frustration and poverty. He produced iconic paintings like “Still Life with Self Portrait,” capturing his distinctive style—a blend of Impressionism and early Modernism—which can be admired on ArtsDot. Other significant pieces include "The Basket of Fruit," "Peaches and Green Bottle," and "Violin Case and Flowers," all showcased prominently on Gertler’s page at ArtsDot.

Influences and Artistic Style

Gertler's artistic style was profoundly shaped by the Impressionist movement, particularly Claude Monet’s exploration of light and color. However, he pushed beyond Impressionism into Early Modernism, embracing bold brushstrokes and expressive hues—a characteristic visible in his landscapes and portraits alike. Walter Sickert served as a mentor, guiding Gertler's artistic development and fostering his commitment to capturing emotion through visual representation.

Legacy and Burial

Mark Gertler’s life was marked by considerable hardship – poverty and unfulfilled romantic aspirations – yet he persevered in pursuing his artistic ambitions with unwavering determination. He passed away on June 23, 1939, and was laid to rest at Willesden Jewish Cemetery, alongside numerous other prominent figures from London's cultural landscape. His enduring contribution to British art continues to inspire admiration and scholarly study. Explore more of Mark Gertler’s remarkable oeuvre and biographical details on ArtsDot: mark gertler | 127 artworks Discover other artists and their stories on ArtsDot: the greatest artists painters of all time