This painting honors Leonard Aaron—“Len”—the founder of Aaron Brothers Art Stores and a dear friend of Bert’s. Every Wednesday, Len’s home transformed into a gathering place where Bert and three fellow artists came together to drink whiskey, smoke cigars, and forge bonds of friendship and creativity. Len’s Men’s Club captures the camaraderie, ritual, and emotional resonance of these weekly meetings.

Len’s Men’s Club is more than a group portrait—it’s a visual memory of fellowship, creative energy, and ritual. It reminds us that art often emerges not just from individual genius, but from moments of shared experience: drinks poured, stories exchanged, ideas sparked. In these four figures, we see more than silhouettes—we see community.

Cinematic Still from Real Life

Rendered like a freeze-frame from a secret gathering, the composition is reminiscent of classic film noir: shadowy, intimate, yet charged with warmth. The figures—faceless and ritual-bound—stand side by side, communicating through gesture, posture, and shared presence rather than identifiable features.

Context in Bert’s Practice

Displayed by Twelve Chairs Gallery, Len’s Men’s Club stands out as a deeply personal work in Bert’s 2018 oeuvre. Alongside Bianca’s Company Reset, which pays homage to his dog Bianca, this piece reflects his gift for transforming ordinary yet meaningful rituals into emotionally resonant paintings.