I’m a longtime admirer of Sargent, fresh from your review of Strouse’s book in Harper’s. I don’t see anti-semitism in these beautifully textured and engrossing portraits. The dog looks doggy to me (I’m a dog person). Asher Wertheimer’s face is rich in character. I’m in awe of Strouse’s efforts to contemplate these portraits under challenging conditions but have my doubts about her interpretation. All the more reason to read the book.
It looks to me like a skillful portrait of a successful man with a confident dog. His expression is humorous but is he being mocked? The rest of the details weigh against it.
As a Jew I’m by no means blind to antisemitic caricature. But I see little more here than an admiring portrait of a man with an enormous appetite for life and a fat cigar clasped between his fingers.
I’m a longtime admirer of Sargent, fresh from your review of Strouse’s book in Harper’s. I don’t see anti-semitism in these beautifully textured and engrossing portraits. The dog looks doggy to me (I’m a dog person). Asher Wertheimer’s face is rich in character. I’m in awe of Strouse’s efforts to contemplate these portraits under challenging conditions but have my doubts about her interpretation. All the more reason to read the book.
That Susan Dominus article really was something.
It looks to me like a skillful portrait of a successful man with a confident dog. His expression is humorous but is he being mocked? The rest of the details weigh against it.
Though I do have to say at first glance it reminded me of derogatory images. But that impression was fleeting after I studied the portrait.
As a Jew I’m by no means blind to antisemitic caricature. But I see little more here than an admiring portrait of a man with an enormous appetite for life and a fat cigar clasped between his fingers.
Loved your review in Harper’s - read it the other day. I always look forward to your work in their pages.
So hooked nose paintings? That's not original
https://marlowe1.substack.com/p/job-chapters-3-5
His ears seem to hint of a devil. But I don’t know what the man himself looked like.
I don't see anything antisemitic in the portrait, especially given the context.
I agree, North Woods was masterful!
And very much looking forward to our event on Feb 16th! (Please add it to your list :-)
I also just found out yesterday tix for our event were already on sale :D
Looking forward and currently reading the book! Already hooked!
North Woods sounds wonderful. Adding it to my to-read list!
Also can't read behind the paywall of the NYT piece, but did you hear about a similar case in Israel? That's the only thing I found about it in English: https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/israeli-court-says-birth-parents-of-2yo-girl-born-in-ivf-mix-up-must-give-her-to-genetic-parents.5782448/.