Gellert, Hugo

Born May 3, 1892, in Budapest. American graphic artist and painter.

Gellert is an emigrant from Hungary who has lived in the USA since 1906. He attended a school of applied arts in New York. Since 1916 his art has been associated with the labor movement and the progressive press. He has been a member of the John Reed Club since 1929. Gellert did drawings of Lenin (1924), J. Reed (1920), and V. V. Mayakovsky (1925), as well as illustrations for Marx’ Das Kapital (60 lithographs, 1936). He painted murals in workers’ clubs (some in collaboration with A. Refregier) and the Maritime Union Building (1945-47) in New York. He is also known as a decorator for labor festivities and meetings. Gellert’s art, which has been influenced by Mexican engraving, is characterized by a fluid style, sharpness, and a symbolic use of images that is similar to poster art.