Artist: Henry Botkin (American, 1896-1983) Title: George Gershwin Audio: Date: 1930 Dimensions: 37″ x 46″ Location in Library: On Loan to the Brooklyn College President’s Office Media: Oil on canvas Owner: The Brooklyn College Library Collection. © Artist’s Estate Description: Henry Botkin was the first cousin of composer George Gershwin. In the late 1920’s Gershwin began taking painting lessons from Botkin and became fascinated with painting. Near the end of his life, Gershwin was reputedly looking forward to giving up music so that he could devote himself completely to painting. Botkin also advised Gershwin in art collecting, often traveling to Paris to buy works for the composer and other prominent collectors. Related Websites– Henry Botkin at Childs Gallery– Henry Botkin at the Smithsonian Archives of American Art Suggested Readings– Pollack, Howard. George Gershwin: His Life and Work, 2006. Call Number: ML410 .G288 P65 2006– Suriano, Gregory R. Gershwin in His Time: A Biographical Scrapbook, 1919-1937, 1998. Call Number: ML410 .G288 G48 1998