Aaron Bohrod
Encyclopedia
Aaron Bohrod was an American artist best known for his trompe-l'oeil still-life paintings.
Bohrad was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1907, the son of an emigree Russian grocer. Bohrod studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League of New York between 1926 and 1930. While at the Art Students League, Bohrod was influenced by John Sloan and chose themes that involved his own surroundings. He returned to Chicago in 1930 where he painted views of the city and its working class. He eventually earned Guggenheim Fellowship
s which permitted him to travel throughout the country, painting and recording the American scene. His early work won him widespread praise as an important social realist
and regional painter and printmaker and his work was marketed through Associated American Artists
in New York. During World War II
, Bohrod worked as an artist, first in the Pacific for the United States Army Corps of Engineers
, then in Europe for Life
magazine. In 1948, he accepted a position as artist in residence, succeeding John Steuart Curry
, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
, and remained in that capacity until 1973.
In the 1950s, Bohrod developed the trompe-l'oeil style of highly decorative, detailed still life paintings which gives an illusion of real life. It was this style with which he became internationally identified.
Bohrod died of liver cancer at his home in Madison, Wisconsin on 3 April 1992, at the age of 84. His works can be found in the collections of many American museums such as the Art Institute of Chicago
, the Metropolitan Museum of Art
, the Whitney Museum of American Art
in New York, and the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. The Aaron Bohrod Gallery at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley
was named in his honor.
Words of Everett Oehlschlaeger:
"Plastic fish, rubber ducks, broken dolls, toy soldiers, souvenirs of every sort find their way into and fill the compositions of Aaron Bohrod. In doing so, the objects take on meanings far surpassing their original ones, taking on an importance never originally intended for them ... His works often take the form of visual jokes, riddles, or puns in which the artist has fun with the double meanings of commonly used words. Bohrod has a great sense of humor, but beneath it is a bite of the utmost seriousness—often a criticism of the folly and silliness of mankind, his actions and concerns, as exhibited by the faster and faster pace of an ever twisting stream—the spectacle of life."
—Everett Oehlshlaeger of Everett Oehlschlaeger Galleries Inc., Chicago, Il.
(from State of Wisconsin
, 1991–92 Legislature
, Assembly Joint Resolution 149)
Bohrad was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1907, the son of an emigree Russian grocer. Bohrod studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League of New York between 1926 and 1930. While at the Art Students League, Bohrod was influenced by John Sloan and chose themes that involved his own surroundings. He returned to Chicago in 1930 where he painted views of the city and its working class. He eventually earned Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowships are American grants that have been awarded annually since 1925 by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Each year, the foundation makes...
s which permitted him to travel throughout the country, painting and recording the American scene. His early work won him widespread praise as an important social realist
Realism (arts)
Realism in the visual arts and literature refers to the general attempt to depict subjects "in accordance with secular, empirical rules", as they are considered to exist in third person objective reality, without embellishment or interpretation...
and regional painter and printmaker and his work was marketed through Associated American Artists
Associated American Artists
Associated American Artists is an art gallery and business established in 1934 in New York City. The gallery marketed art to the middle classes, first in the form of affordable prints and later in home furnishings and accessories, and played a significant role in the growth of art as an...
in New York. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Bohrod worked as an artist, first in the Pacific for the United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
, then in Europe for Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
magazine. In 1948, he accepted a position as artist in residence, succeeding John Steuart Curry
John Steuart Curry
John Steuart Curry was an American painter whose career spanned from 1924 until his death. He was noted for his paintings depicting life in his home state, Kansas...
, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, and remained in that capacity until 1973.
In the 1950s, Bohrod developed the trompe-l'oeil style of highly decorative, detailed still life paintings which gives an illusion of real life. It was this style with which he became internationally identified.
Bohrod died of liver cancer at his home in Madison, Wisconsin on 3 April 1992, at the age of 84. His works can be found in the collections of many American museums such as the Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of America's largest accredited independent schools of art and design, located in the Loop in Chicago, Illinois. It is associated with the museum of the same name, and "The Art Institute of Chicago" or "Chicago Art Institute" often refers to either...
, the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a renowned art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The main building, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile, is one of the...
, the Whitney Museum of American Art
Whitney Museum of American Art
The Whitney Museum of American Art, often referred to simply as "the Whitney", is an art museum with a focus on 20th- and 21st-century American art. Located at 945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street in New York City, the Whitney's permanent collection contains more than 18,000 works in a wide variety of...
in New York, and the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. The Aaron Bohrod Gallery at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley
University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley
The University of Wisconsin–Fox Valley, the second largest of the 13 campuses that make up the University of Wisconsin Colleges, is a two-year college within the 26 campus University of Wisconsin System located on in Menasha, Wisconsin...
was named in his honor.
Words of Everett Oehlschlaeger:
"Plastic fish, rubber ducks, broken dolls, toy soldiers, souvenirs of every sort find their way into and fill the compositions of Aaron Bohrod. In doing so, the objects take on meanings far surpassing their original ones, taking on an importance never originally intended for them ... His works often take the form of visual jokes, riddles, or puns in which the artist has fun with the double meanings of commonly used words. Bohrod has a great sense of humor, but beneath it is a bite of the utmost seriousness—often a criticism of the folly and silliness of mankind, his actions and concerns, as exhibited by the faster and faster pace of an ever twisting stream—the spectacle of life."
—Everett Oehlshlaeger of Everett Oehlschlaeger Galleries Inc., Chicago, Il.
(from State of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, 1991–92 Legislature
Wisconsin Legislature
The Wisconsin Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The Legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house Wisconsin Senate and the lower Wisconsin Assembly...
, Assembly Joint Resolution 149)