Zucker, Jacques (1900-1981)

Born in Radom, Poland, at age thirteen Zucker ran away from home, traveling by himself to study at the Bezalel Art School in Palestine. After serving with the Royal Fusilliers of England during World War I, he spent time in the Paris art scene before immigrating to the US in 1922. Here he first worked as a maker of fine jewelry; eventually, he was successful as a painter with studios in New York and Paris. Zucker counted as influences the French Romantics Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Jean-Antoine Watteau, along with contemporaries Maurice Utrillo and Chaim Soutine. He observed that, in Europe, artists know that a landscape has been painted many times, but in America “I feel liberated, unburdened by the weight of artistic precedent” (Salpeter). Zucker’s work was shown at places like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Whitney Museum, and the Cheshire Gallery, as well as the Bonaparte and Paquereau Galleries in Paris. 5 more images at the FAP; 1 statue at FAP.

Sources Consulted: Harry Salpeter, “Jacques Zucker: Modern Romantic,” Esquire Oct. 1938: 59+. Dan Wolman, director, Jacques Zucker: Modern Romantic (film short).

Works in the New Deal Collection at GVCA by Jacques Zucker:

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Fountain, Central Park
Fountain, Central Park

Depicted is the landmark Bethesda Fountain located in New York City's Central Park. The fountain is adorned by a bronze statue with small figures that appear to support the winged figure. Bethesda is a biblical reference to a pool that is believed to have had healing powers, so its use for a fountain's name has great significance. The warm colors and large brush strokes give this painting a sense of importance that is associated with being in Central Park--a location not far from Zucker's home in New York.

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