Merry-Go-Round
Mark Gertler · 1916
Why it's great
People whirl on a fairground carousel in a blaze of bold, swirling color, painted as if everything is spinning at once. Mark Gertler, a British painter whose Jewish parents came from Poland, made this during World War I, as a bitter picture of people being swept around by forces they can't stop. The harsh colors and rounded shapes make it unforgettable. It's regarded as his masterpiece.
Where to see it
📍 Tate BritainLondon, United Kingdom
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Mark Gertler was born in London to Jewish immigrants from Poland and grew up in the poor neighborhood of Spitalfields. He studied at the Slade School of Art and became a friend of many writers and artists of his time. He is best known for his bold, rounded paintings, such as 'Merry-Go-Round'. He died in London in 1939.
