Side 01 recording is Jennie Allen, interviewed by Piri Halasz, discussing her family and recollections with Abraham Rattner, her brother. Discussion topics are wide-ranging and include details of the family's life in Poughkeepsie, NY, antisemitism in the area, and information about the parents emigration from Russia and Romania to the United States. Recording includes an unnamed man in addition to Allen and Halasz. <em>See Internal Note for order of recordings.</em> Side 02 sound quality deteriorates, becomes noticeable by 00:33:00, and by 00:39:30 discussion is incomprehensible. Editing measures have been taken but issues could not be cleared. Side 02 first recording is Piri Halasz interviewing Bernard and Florence Zipkin. Bernard Zipkin was Esther Gentle's son and Abraham Rattner's stepson. Discussion topics include Zipkins' recollections of Abraham Rattner's personality, interests such as world events and religion, subject matter and themes in Rattner's paintings, and Rattner's relationships with and sentiments about other artists. People mentioned include Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Henry Miller. Side 02 second recording, 00:47:00-00:54:45, is Piri Halasz's interview with Mrs. Bercovitch, an artist born in Texas, who was Abraham Rattner's student in New York in the late 1940s. Discussion topics include Mrs. Bercovitch's life and education, Rattner's painting <em>Fisher Boy</em>, his gallery representation, and his personality. Side 02 last recording starting 00:58:00 is a one-minute conversation fragment between Piri Halasz and unnamed art collectors who purchased some Rattner paintings.
Citation:
Jennie Allen and Piri Halasz. Interviews about Abraham Rattner with Jennie Allen, with Bernard and Florence Zipkin, and with Mrs. Bercovitch, 1979 August 17-September 8. Piri Halasz papers, circa 1950-2017. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Additional Forms:
This item has been digitally reformatted. It is available by requesting an appointment in the Archives of American Art's reading rooms, or in certain situations as a Reproduction Request.
Use Note:
Current copyright status is undetermined
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution Washington, D.C. 20560
