Louis Leon Ribak
Encyclopedia
Louis Leon Ribak was an American
social realist
and abstractionist painter
. Born in Ruzhany
, Ribak emigrated to New York
at the age of ten with his family. He attended Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
for a year in 1920, and the Art Students League of New York
in 1922.
He served in the military for two years during the Second World War and was discharged because of asthma
. Seeking a healthier climate, Ribak and his wife Beatrice Mandelman, also an artist, moved to Taos, New Mexico
in 1944. At this point, Ribak changed to a more non-objective style and brighter color palette. He returned to New York for several years, but moved back to Taos permanently in 1953. Ribak died in Taos in 1979.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
social realist
Social realism
Social Realism, also known as Socio-Realism, is an artistic movement, expressed in the visual and other realist arts, which depicts social and racial injustice, economic hardship, through unvarnished pictures of life's struggles; often depicting working class activities as heroic...
and abstractionist painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
. Born in Ruzhany
Ruzhany
Ruzhany is a small town located in Pruzhany Raion of Brest Voblast, Belarus.-Geography:Ruzhany is situated on the river Ruzhanka and surrounded by picturesque hills...
, Ribak emigrated to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
at the age of ten with his family. He attended Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a museum and art school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1805 and is the oldest art museum and school in the United States. The academy's museum is internationally known for its collections of 19th and 20th century American paintings,...
for a year in 1920, and the Art Students League of New York
Art Students League of New York
The Art Students League of New York is an art school located on West 57th Street in New York City. The League has historically been known for its broad appeal to both amateurs and professional artists, and has maintained for over 130 years a tradition of offering reasonably priced classes on a...
in 1922.
He served in the military for two years during the Second World War and was discharged because of asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
. Seeking a healthier climate, Ribak and his wife Beatrice Mandelman, also an artist, moved to Taos, New Mexico
Taos, New Mexico
Taos is a town in Taos County in the north-central region of New Mexico, incorporated in 1934. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,700. Other nearby communities include Ranchos de Taos, Cañon, Taos Canyon, Ranchitos, and El Prado. The town is close to Taos Pueblo, the Native American...
in 1944. At this point, Ribak changed to a more non-objective style and brighter color palette. He returned to New York for several years, but moved back to Taos permanently in 1953. Ribak died in Taos in 1979.