The Life and Artistic Journey of Nahum Tschacbasov
Born in Baku, Russian Empire, into a Georgian Jewish family, Nahum Tschacbasov—who also used names such as Nahum Lichter, Nathan Richter, H. H. Richter, Hanathan Richter, and Nathan Lichterman—was a multifaceted artist. His life was marked by significant movement, having relocated to Chicago as a child in 1905. Following his service in the United States Navy from 1917 to 1919, he became a successful businessman in Chicago during the 1920s and 1930s. His artistic education took him to France between 1932 and 1933, where he studied under Adolph Gottlieb, Marcel Gromaire, and Fernand Léger.
As a painter, printmaker, graphic artist, poet, and educator, Tschacbasov was a member of the expressionist group known as "The Ten." His creative output was prolific, with an estimated 7,000+ paintings and prints. His work has been included in prestigious collections, such as:
- The Smithsonian American Art Museum
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The Brooklyn Museum
- The Jewish Museum
- The Whitney Museum of American Art
Teaching and Literary Contributions
Tschacbasov’s influence extended into the realm of education, where he taught at the Art Students League of New York and at his own art school in Woodstock, New York. He also served as an instructor at the John Reed Club School. His notable students included Fritzie Abadi, James F. Walker, and Irene Zevon.
Beyond the visual arts, he was a poet, publishing the illustrated poetry book Machinery of Fright in 1982 through Southampton College Press. His personal life was intertwined with the literary world; his daughter, Alexandra, was the second wife of the writer Saul Bellow. Tschacbasov passed away in February 1984 at New York University Hospital.
