Profile

1920s

From Impressionism to Post-Impressionism

In the early 1920s Gorky was influenced by Impressionism, and later in the decade his work moved closer to Post-Impressionism.

1925–1931

Teaches at the Grand Central School of Art

Edmund Greacen of the Grand Central Art Galleries asked Gorky to teach at the Grand Central School of Art in New York, and he stayed there until 1931; his notable students included Revington Arthur. Other accounts say he taught there from 1926.

1927

Meets Ethel Schwabacher

Gorky met Ethel Schwabacher, with whom he developed a lifelong friendship; she became his first biographer.

1928

Under Picasso’s influence

While in the early years of his studies Gorky had been under Cézanne’s influence, from 1928 he was under the influence of Picasso.

1930

Group exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art

Works by the members of the group to which Gorky belonged were shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

1930s

Collaboration with Davis, de Kooning and Graham

In the 1930s Gorky worked closely with Stuart Davis, Willem de Kooning and John Graham.