Portrait of Marjorie Gertler

Mark Gertler was a Jewish émigré who lived in London’s East End. He often painted the friends and family who were part of that close-knit community. This is a portrait of the artist’s wife Marjorie.

Even though this is a portrait of his wife, the artist has treated her almost as a still life. Compare Gertler’s depiction of fruit on Marjorie’s hat with Peploe’s Still Life with Tulips and Oranges also displayed in this room. The top right hand corner of the picture contains a cheeky reference to a part of her body which is not visible in the portrait.