ALBERT WASSERMAN Obituary

WASSERMAN--Albert.

August 23, 1920 - January 3, 2017. Graduated Evander Childs High School, Bronx, NY 1937. Pulitzer Scholarship 1940 led to National Academy, studied with Sidney E. Dickinson and Ivan Olinsky. 1941 Obrig Prize. Studied at Art Students League with Charles S. Chapman. Served in Army 1944-1946 in Belgium, France and Germany with the 115th anti-aircraft artillery gun battalion. Painted portraits and scenes across Europe. Stationed at the end in Marseille where he met his wife of 55 years, Sylvette Marchetti (deceased). Taught since 1955 at Jackson Heights Art Club and at Educational Alliance Sirovich Senior Center since 2001. Always with a sketchbook even on subway. Attended A.S.L. painting class every Saturday until mid September. Member of Salmagundi Art Club where he won numerous prizes. Always a gentleman and adored by his students. Loved and adored by his children Sandra and Daniel. Missed by all who knew him. May his gorgeous work live on.

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 13, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for ALBERT WASSERMAN

11 Entries

Charles Andre

April 7, 2017

I just saw tonight the notice at the Art Students League that Al Wasserman had passed away. The league lost a fine artist. No doubt about it. He was very talented. Exceptionally talented. Watching him do "his thing" on a canvas was like watching John Singer Sargent at work. He had a simple style like Sargent, very painterly, but his works had wonderful charm and appeal and professional quality. The first time I saw Al painting in that Saturday members' class, and that was about 20 years ago, I knew this guy was the real deal. He was quiet and unassuming. But he handled a brush so deftly, like a pianist, and knew exactly which colors he was going to dip into, or mix, for his next brush stroke. And when he was finished, the things he painted looked like they were supposed to look. Whether it be a hand (and many artists have great difficulty painting hands), or the sleeve of an overcoat, Al knew how to model, shape, and paint these things so they were instantly recognizable on the canvas. It was a joy to watch him paint. We will miss Al Wasserman at the Art Students League. We will miss his wonderful paintings and we will miss his wonderful spirit.

E. Turner

February 7, 2017

With sympathy

Jim & Kathleen Lockett

January 30, 2017

Admired his artwork on a holiday card each year. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Gerry McGann

January 25, 2017

Albert Wasserman was immensely important to me, when I started art classes with him at the Jackson Heights Art Club, in 1986. He was my only teacher for decades. He had the uncanny ability to cater to each student as an individual and bring out their 'inner artist'.
It was such a shock when I heard of his passing. He loved art and devoted his life to it. He chose to pass it on. I hope you are comforted that this love lives on in those of us lucky enough to have been touched by him.

January 18, 2017

Albert Wasserman
Artist, teacher. Passion for his art. Consistent dedication to it. That drew others to him
And to his students at Sirovich, and those around him at my Members Sketch sessions he was a constant presence. He is missed, he inspired.
Sa Rudolph

Robert Holden

January 16, 2017

I'm extremely grateful that I was able to paint alongside Al for more than 30 years at the Saturday morning members' class of The Art Students League. Many successful illustrators and portrait painters spent some time in this members' class, but I considered Al the resident "Old Master" because of his consummate painting and drawing skills, honed by rigorous academic training at an early age, and his unwavering concentration on the task at hand for so many consecutive Saturdays of pure painting pleasure, for himself and for all of us regulars who were inspired by his shining example. I often sought his advice on painting techniques and materials, and we had many discussions at lunch afterward in the League cafeteria about Sargent, Zorn, Sorolla, Van Dyke and other artists we both admired, as well as discussions about the salmon and other healthful food he was going to prepare for his evening meal, a skill he learned from his late wife, Sylvette, whom he fell in love with at first sight in Marseille when he was with the Army in France during the Second World War. Al was a true gentleman, with a quiet, unassuming manner. I never heard him utter an unkind word about another painter, and he always found something good in our own work to comment on. When we complimented him on another of his brilliant portrait sketches at the end of the session, his only response was, "It was coming along." Al was a modest, humble man who enjoyed a long life of painting, drawing and teaching with an ever-present smile on his face. I'll miss my old painting companion very much.

Bart Goft

January 15, 2017

i was a neighbor at the Allendale Apts.
when i got the sad news; it was a big loss flne human being pardon the pun but he was a dying breed i loved chatting with Al and Sylvette at their apt. and exchanging New Year's cards we both had a connection to the advertising field (his with art/mine with type)

Gloria Shepherd

January 15, 2017

I remember Al from the Members' Class at the Art Students' League. He was a wonderful painter and a very kind man. He will be missed. You have my deepest sympathy.

Bruce Cahn

January 14, 2017

I sat next to Albert for years at the ASL member's painting group. Loved him and learned a lot from him. Thanks Al, come back soon.

Bob Palevitz

January 14, 2017

I painted with Al Saturday mornings for years at the League
figure painting sessions. Watching him maneuver his painting style for 3 hours and then watch him eat his inevitable lunch.
A peanut butter sandwich and a bunch of carrot sticks.
Al was full of energy and loved to talk paint. I will miss him.

Judith Natkins

January 5, 2017

Dear Sandy,

Your father was such a sweetheart - so kind and gentle and caring. I loved watching him interact with my father - they were both so passionate about their art and loved talking about it. And he was a brilliant artist - I looked forward every year to his New Year's greeting card. And I know my parents really enjoyed their dinners at Armondo's with him. He will be missed and I extend to you my heartfelt sympathy. (and this is for your brother as well). Love, Judy

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