Arshile Gorky in his studio

Arshile Gorky, the noted American painter and one of the founders of abstract surrealism, was born on 15 April 1904 in the village of Khorkom near Van, into an Armenian family. His real name was Vosdanik Manuk Adoian. In 1915, during the Armenian Genocide, he fled with his mother and three sisters to Eastern Armenia. In 1919 his mother died of starvation, and in 1920 Gorky left for the United States to join his father.

He changed his name, choosing Arshile Gorky. Inspired by Cézanne and Picasso, he developed his own style. His works are exhibited today in the world’s leading museums.

The photograph shows Gorky standing in his studio in front of an easel, wearing a long light-coloured work smock and holding papers.