Name/Title
Fisherman by Max GergerEntry/Object ID
2019.17.02Description
Oil painting of an unknown man, a friend of the artist Max Gerger. The subject has white hair, thick eye brows, rosy cheeks, and is wearing a fuzzy scarf. Gerger used to hang out at the docks in Saugatuck and chat with the boatmen and their families, where he painted this. Framed in an original wood frame painted a light green with gold accents. The inner mat is a beige canvas.Type of Painting
EaselCollection
ArtworksCataloged By
Voss, MaryAcquisition
Accession
2019.17Source or Donor
Decker, Susan (Gerger)Acquisition Method
DonationMade/Created
Artist
Gerger, Max 1910-1973Date made
1944Location
Shelf
AC bay 22 small worksRoom
Art Conservation RoomExhibition
Curator’s Choice ExhibitInterpretative Labels
Label
Max Gerger
1910 – 1973
A Saugatuck Fisherman
1944 | oil on canvas board
Notes: Max Gerger was born in Reese, Michigan, but lived and worked in Detroit for most of his life. An admirer of the Ashcan School of New York, Gerger studied with George Rich, a student of Robert Henri. Among others, Gerger also studied with Zolton Zepeshy and explored color and light physics at Wayne State University in Detroit.
In 1935, Max was accepted as a member of the prestigious Scarab Club of Detroit.
Mr. Gerger held executive positions in the commercial art field and was well-known for historical illustration. He spent many summers painting in Saugatuck, Michigan where he captured the local fishermen. This work is an example of those efforts.*
*adapted from information provided by Max Gerger’s daughter, Susan Decker.
Collection: Saugatuck Douglas History Center
Gift of: Susan Gerger Decker
Accession: 2019.17.02General Notes
Note
Notes: Note attached to painting:
Portrait of a friend my father knew down at the boat docks. Dad loved to be down at the docks sketching and talking to the boatmen and their families.
Status: OK
Status By: Mary Voss
Status Date: 2019-05-06Create Date
May 6, 2019Update Date
September 2, 2024