Rivers, Larry, 1925-2002

Larry Rivers (1925-2002) was a painter from Southampton, N.Y.).

From the description of Oral history interview with Larry Rivers, 1968 Nov. 2 [sound recording]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 84233674

Larry Rivers was born Yitzhok Loiza Grossberg to Russian-Jewish parents in 1923 (sometimes claimed to be 1925) in the Bronx, New York, changing his name to Larry Rivers in 1940 after being introduced as "Larry Rivers and the Mudcats" performing at a local pub. From 1940-1945 he worked as a jazz saxophonist in New York City; he studied at the Juilliard School of Music in 1945-1946. Rivers took up painting in 1945 and studied at the Hans Hofmann School from 1947-1948 at the encouragement of Nell Blaine. Rivers embarked on a trip to Paris in 1950 to write poetry and study paintings in the Louvre; Blaine joined him after a few weeks, renting a studio in order to paint. He went on to become a filmmaker and occasional actor and became associated with Pop Art and the New York School. Rivers died in 2002. Margaret Harmsworth McCulloch was a fellow painter and sculptor living in Paris and the daughter of Desmond Harmsworth, an artist and publisher.

From the description of Larry Rivers papers, 1950-1959. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 731351332

Larry Rivers was born Yitzhok Loiza Grossberg to Russian-Jewish parents in 1923 (sometimes claimed to be 1925) in the Bronx, New York, changing his name to Larry Rivers in 1940 after being introduced as "Larry Rivers and the Mudcats" performing at a local pub. From 1940-1945 he worked as a jazz saxophonist in New York City; he studied at the Juilliard School of Music in 1945-1946. Rivers took up painting in 1945 and studied at the Hans Hofmann School from 1947–1948 at the encouragement of Nell Blaine. Rivers embarked on a trip to Paris in 1950 to write poetry and study paintings in the Louvre; Blaine joined him after a few weeks, renting a studio in order to paint. He went on to become a filmmaker and occasional actor and became associated with Pop Art and the New York School. Rivers died in 2002.

Margaret Harmsworth McCulloch was a fellow painter and sculptor living in Paris and the daughter of Desmond Harmsworth, an artist and publisher.

From the guide to the Larry Rivers papers, 1950-1959., (Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)