Gikow, Ruth, 1915-1982

Ruth Gikow; born January 6, 1915 Ukraine; died 1982 New York City; American, Jewish visual artist and genre painter who was primarily known for her work as a painter. Her paintings often depict human figures interacting with an urban environment.

Ruth Gikow was born on January 6, 1915 in the Ukraine. Her father, Boris, was a photographer and her mother was named Lena. In 1920 she emigrated to New York City due to civil war and pogroms against the Jewish community. The pilgrimage took around two years. Once in New York City, the Gikow family found themselves in poverty, rather than the middle-class comfort they enjoyed in Ukraine. Ruth Gikow's skill was prominent even in youth, as she excelled in drawing in elementary school and entered Washington Irving High School at age thirteen in which she furthered her art prowess.