Reuben Mednikoff

Reuben Mednikoff (1906–1972), also known as Reuben Pailthorpe and Richard Pailthorpe, was a British surrealist artist, designer and poet. Mednikoff is known for his collaboration with Grace Pailthorpe in the development of Psychorealism.

Biography

Reuben Mednikoff was born on 2 June 1906 in the East End (present-day Tower Hamlets) to a Russian Jewish family. Mednikoff's father, Myer Mednikoff, was a tinsmith and his mother, Hetty Mednikoff, was a housewife. Both of Mednikoff's parents were born in Vitebsk, Russian Empire (present-day, Belarus).

In 1920, at age 14, Mednikoff enrolled at the Saint Martin's School of Art. Mednikoff studied illustrations for advertisements and later graduated in 1923.

In 1935, Mednikoff met the painter and surgeon Grace Pailthorpe at a party.

He died 3 May 1972, according to UK Probate records.

Personal life

On 14 December 1932, Mednikoff married Marie Louise De Sousa. De Sousa later left Mednikoff in 1933 following an affair with the artist Harold Llewellyn Botcherby (1907-1943). Mednikoff filed for divorce in 1934, and the divorce was finalised on 28 January 1935.

Notes

  1. ↑ Also cited as Annie Mednikoff (née Walter)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Reuben Mednikoff". British Museum. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Montanaro, Lee Ann (2010). Surrealism and Psychoanalysis in the work of Grace Pailthorpe and Reuben Mednikoff: 1935–1940 (PDF) (Thesis). Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  3. 1 2 "A Tale of Mother's Bones: Grace Pailthorpe, Reuben Mednikoff and the Birth of Psychorealism". London: Camden Art Centre. 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  4. ↑ Zemans, Joyce (2016). Jock Macdonald: Life & Work. Toronto: Art Canada Institute. pp. 3–22. ISBN 978-1-4871-0108-4. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "Reuben Mednikoff [Birth Index]". England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes. 1c (Q3). London: General Register Office. 1906.
  6. ↑ "Reuben Mednikoff". Census Returns of England and Wales, 1921; London; Hackney; 04; 10. Kew, Richmond: The National Archives. 1921.
  7. 1 2 "Reuben Mednikoff [Richard Pailthorpe]". 1939 Register; Hertfordshire; Berkhamsted Road; Dfba. Kew, Richmond: The National Archives. 1939.
  8. 1 2 "Myer Mednikoff". Census Returns of England and Wales, 1921; London; Hackney; 04; 10. Kew, Richmond: The National Archives. 1921.
  9. 1 2 "Hetty Mednikoff". Census Returns of England and Wales, 1921; London; Hackney; 04; 10. Kew, Richmond: The National Archives. 1921.
  10. ↑ Remy, Michel. "Lives of the Artists Grace Pailthorpe and Reuben Mednikoff". Tate. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  11. ↑ "Reuben Mednikoff and Marie Louise De Sousa [Marriage Index]". England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes. 1a (Q4). London: General Register Office: 1481. 1932.
  12. ↑ "Marie L Medinkoff and Harold L Botcherby [Marriage Index]". England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes. 3a (Q2). London: General Register Office: 1385. 1935.
  13. ↑ "J 77/3279/197 Divorce Court File: 197". Discovery. Kew, Richmond: The National Archives. 1934. Retrieved 5 February 2026.