At lower right: Нат. Альтман Киев 16/VI 26

Альтман Н. Ретроспективная выставка произведений [Altman N. Retrospective Exhibition ofWorks]. Leningrad: Khudozhnik, RSFSR, 1968, p. 28.

Solomon Mikhailovich Mikhoels (birth surname: Vovsi, 1890–1948), stage actor and director for the GOSET (State Jewish Theater); sketchmade during theater’s visit to Kiev. Insame year Altman began painting aportrait of Mikhoels (Bakhrushin Theater Museum, Moscow). Thesketch was taken to Paris by the artist, and a reproduction appeared in thejournal This Quarter without givingthe actor’s name (the horizontal length is noted in blue pencil in the lower part of the drawing). The sketch was later in the collection of the journal’s publisher, Edward Titus, and his wife, Elena Rubinstein.