Although he was born in Cleveland, R. B. Kitaj has lived in England since the 1950s and is considered a major figure in contemporary British art, a member of the so-called London School. Kitaj describes himself as a depictive painter, and much of his work deals with the most disturbing philosophical and moral issues of the twentieth century—religious and racial intolerance, human suffering, and personal isolation. This moody, somber portrait of Kitaj by Prudence Cumming Associates illustrated the feature story of the March 1986 issue of ARTnews, while a less dramatic photograph of the artist by Cumming graced its cover.

Prudence Cumming Associates (active 1967–present)
Gelatin silver print, circa 1985–86
Published March 1986
ARTnews Collection, New York City