R.B. Kitaj, Provocative Painter of Diaspora and Intellectual History, Dies at 74

R.B. Kitaj passed away on Sunday at the age of 74 in his Los Angeles residence. Born Ronald Brooks on October 29, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, he took on his Viennese stepfather's last name. His artistic focus revolved around themes of modern history and Jewish identity, challenging contemporary taboos. Kitaj graduated in 1960 from the Royal College of Art after studying at the Ruskin School of Drawing. Known for his association with British Pop Art, he created intricate images and wrote manifestos, notably the "First Diasporist Manifesto" in 1989. His notable series "In Our Time," which included screenprints of book covers, was produced between 1969 and 1970. A personal loss in 1969 interrupted his work. He curated "The Human Clay" in 1976 and received criticism during his 1994 retrospective at the Tate Gallery. He leaves behind three children and three grandchildren.