Papers of Esther Lurie

The papers of artist Esther Lurie, including twelve original etchings and drawings based on her experiences in the Kaunas Ghetto. These are titled as follows: “Several Women Portraits;” “Portrait of a Woman;” “Man with Hat” (Mordechai Levtrov); “Self-Portrait” [two artworks]; “Joseph Lurie” (father of artist); “Girl;” “Potato Pickers” [three artworks]; “Man Sitting;” and “Woman Eating.” There is also a copy of Sketches From a Woman’s Labour Camp by the artist, which includes fifteen drawings by Lurie.

Other original works include: 1) a 24” x 28” oil painting of an European interior dating from 1939; 2) a 15” x 20” oil painting of an outdoor scene with a house, 1937; 3) the artist’s proof etching of a woman with a yellow star, undated; 4) an etching, numbered 1/130, titled “Zionist Congress,” undated; 5) and ten engraved copper or silver plates for the imprinting of etchings.

Also included are personal documents and correspondence, notably between Lurie and academics such as Paul Michaelis, as well as Lurie and Eli Weinberg, a Jewish anti-apartheid trade union activist and photographer in South Africa, during the 1930s. The collection includes approximately 20 photos taken by Weinberg, in addition to a copy of Weinberg’s published photo album, Portrait of a People.