Raphael Soyer
American, born Russia, 1899 - 1987Woman Washing Her Face, n.d.
Not on view
Oil on canvas
Dimensions21 × 15 in. (53.3 × 38.1 cm)
Museum purchase, 2008.366
Born in Tombov, Russia, Raphael Soyer was brought to New York City in 1912. As children he and his twin, Moses, and younger brother, Isaac, were encouraged to draw by their parents. All three went on to become professional artists. As youths, the brothers worked in factories and sold newspapers to make a living. Raphael received his training from Cooper Union, the National Academy of Design, and the Art Students League.
Throughout his career, Raphael portrayed the daily life of New York's 14th Street and Lower East Side: Bowery bums, working girls, shoppers, dancers, seamstresses, and other "ordinary" people were his favorite subjects.
