RICHARD MERKIN

1938-2009

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Studied art at Syracuse University, held a Master's degree in Art from Michigan State University and in painting from The Rhode Island School of Design (where he spent almost 50 years as Art Professor).

This  painter, illustrator and professor celebrated America of the 20's and 30's in his works. Paintings with exuberant colors, 'documents' of the social life  of those periodes.

He was a flaneur, a socialite and one of the greatest dandies in New York.

As illustrator, he created hundreds of illustrations for The New Yorker, The New York Times Sunday Magazine and Vanity Fair. And also designed several record covers for jazz artists.

By curiosity, he was a great collector of antique pornography.

His works are in several private collections and also in MoMA among other museums.

"in Havana"

Art  Expo,   1981

"Gertrude and George",  pastel on paper,    1979

"Girlie Show"

"a night in Casablanca"

"Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald in Paris"

"the port of last resort"

"the lover of the long shot"

1994

"Blondie and Popeye hardcore"

"the New Yorker", cover nr 7

"Thelonious at the Five Spot"

"Oedipus and Luxor"