New York Times art editor Edward Alden Jewell, while judging the 1934 spring show of the National Academy of Design, singled out a work by new artist "A. Gamio" for special praise. The work, titled "Mrs. Katz of Venice, Cal," showed an old woman peering over the top of her spectacles while holding a magazine.
The praise thrilled well-known artist Hugo Ballin, even though his own entry in the show had been dismissed by Jewell as "vulgar," because Ballin actually was "A. Gamio." He had submitted the work as a hoax to show that Jewell would praise any work done in the "modern" style.
Mrs. Katz of Venice, Cal
Comments