from Emaleigh Doley
On April 13, the Rosenbach Museum & Library threw a very special party to celebrate the completion of conservation work on The Chertoff Mural painted by Maurice Sendak. I’ll simply say the author and illustrator’s only surviving mural is charming and whimsical; its journey to Philadelphia from a New York apartment, almost unbelievable; the conservation work, remarkable.
The party was attended by Nina and Larry Chertoff, who were just kids when Sendak painted the parade of animals and children marching along their bedroom wall circa 1961. Friends and family of the Chertoffs, the mural conservation team, friends of Maurice Sendak, many generous supporters to the project, and Rosenbach staff (who have worked tirelessly to share the mural with the public), all joined in the festivities. Sendak, now 82, was unable to attend, but was there in spirit, and the party went on in his honor!
Last week, Amy Rosenberg interviewed Sendak from his home in Connecticut for a story in the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer. The subject of their discussion went far beyond the conservation project. Sendak spoke about why he chose the Rosenbach to be the home for his life’s work (where it can be seen, not simply archived), his memories of painting the mural, life and aging, his new book Bumble-Ardy, opera, being gay, his late partner Eugene Glynn, and much more. I could tell you more, but you should just take a quick break and read the article: Sendak, picturing mortality.
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