Portrait of the Month
Gerard Horst Meyerfeld
This portrait of Gerard Horst Meyerfeld was created by Florida High School Student Kaleb H. We were drawn to the way the portrait brings out the somber emotions of the subject, and the sensitivity of the line drawing out of which the shape and forms of the head emerge. Kaleb wrote about drawing the portrait and how he noticed the emotion of Gerard in the photo he drew from.
How did it feel to spend so much time observing a photograph and then making art based on the photo?
It made me feel like I did a good deed by honoring Gerard Horst Meyerfeld by creating a pastel portrait tribute to his life.
Write a caption for the portrait that you made. It can say something about the person or something about your feelings making the portrait.
He seems like he is sad and miserable at this time of his life because his face is cold with no feeling at all.
What did you like and dislike about the art experience?
I like that it teaches me about someone I don't know whose life was taken.
What do you think you will remember about this experience? Why?
That I am always fortunate and have never had to suffer and feel the pain of the magnitude he did.
Read Gerard’s story below and click here to view past Portrait of the Month selections
About the subject
Gerard Meyerfeld was born in Germany but moved to France as a young boy with his Aunt and Uncle to persecution. After his Uncle was sent to an internment camp, Gerard’s aunt sent him to work on a farm in hopes that they would protect and feed him. Later, he went to work with the Jewish Underground, and after liberation, he joined the French army. Gerard was eventually reunited with his parents, who had remained in Germany during the war. They immigrated to the United States, and Gerard remained in France. Remember and honor Gerard by viewing more portraits of him.
About the workshop
This portrait was made at Park Vista High School in the Palm Beach School District in Florida.