Articles

Soutine’s Portraits: Servants but not servile

Soutine

Soutine’s Portraits: Cooks, Waiters and Bellboys at The Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, 19th October 2017 to 21st January 2018.

History has not been kind to Chaïm Soutine. The chances are that you haven’t heard of him, but if you have, you might know Soutine for his swirling landscapes and gruesome still-lifes, and for his unsavoury personal habits. Yet he also painted portraits throughout his career that endow his humble sitters with dignity and an individuality that transcends their station in life. This fine exhibition allows Soutine’s rare talent for revealing the essence of his sitters to be reassessed and appreciated.