Mark Gertler: A Life Painted in Bold Color and Social Commentary Born in London’s East End in 1891 to Polish-Jewish immigrant parents, Mark Gertler's life was a testament to resilience and artistic vision. Growing up amidst poverty and speaking only Yiddish until the age of eight profoundly shaped his perspective, imbuing his work with an earthy honesty and a deep connection to the working class—a theme that would become increasingly central to his art. His early education at the Slade School of Fine Art provided him with technical skills, but it was his exposure to Eastern European folk tra…