Posthumous Portrait Commission

This posthumous portrait of Jackie Laskoff was commissioned by her husband, Bob, following her passing. Having shared more than sixty years together, theirs was a relationship rooted in deep affection, friendship, devotion, and enduring love.

From the beginning, Marvin understood that the portrait needed to be about far more than likeness alone. Having spent most of his own adult life with his wife, he could readily empathize with the profound loss that accompanies the death of a lifelong companion. While creating a memorial was certainly part of the commission, Marvin’s goal was not to create a painting that would continually remind Bob of his loss. Instead, he wanted the portrait to celebrate the joy, love, and life the couple had shared together.

Working primarily from photographs taken decades earlier, Marvin sought to create an image that felt warm, intimate, and full of life. Every decision—from the expression and pose to the flowers, color relationships, and overall mood of the painting—was guided by that objective.

Jackie’s love of travel is reflected in the Irish fisherman’s sweater, while the yellow roses serve as a symbol of affection, warmth, and remembrance. The flowers were intentionally arranged to feel naturally gathered rather than formally composed, reinforcing the portrait’s sense of intimacy and sincerity.

For Marvin, portraiture is never solely about visual appearances. He believes that every painting carries something of the artist’s emotional experience into the finished work. Throughout the creation of this portrait, his thoughts remained focused on the extraordinary relationship Jackie and Bob had shared and on creating an image that would honor that bond.

When Bob received the completed painting, his response was simple and immediate:

“I’m bedazzled.”