The name Richard Merkin most notably refers to:
-
Richard Merkin (artist) (1938–2009), an American pop artist, illustrator, and educator. A prominent figure in the New York art scene, Merkin was known for his distinctive, often narrative, style that incorporated elements of dandyism, Art Deco, and pop culture. His illustrations were featured in major publications such as The New Yorker, Esquire, Harper's Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. He was a long-time professor at the Parsons School of Design and a key member of a celebrated group of artists and writers, including Tom Wolfe and George Plimpton, who met regularly at Fouquet's. Merkin's work often depicted scenes of urban life, jazz musicians, and historical figures with a whimsical, sophisticated, and meticulously detailed aesthetic. His personal style, characterized by bespoke suits and hats, greatly influenced his artistic persona and output.
-
Richard S. Merkin (philanthropist) (born 1950), an American physician, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of Heritage Provider Network (HPN), one of the largest physician-led managed care organizations in the United States. Dr. Merkin is widely recognized for his substantial philanthropic contributions, primarily in the fields of science, medicine, and education, made through the Merkin Family Foundation. He has donated significant sums to institutions such as the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the University of Southern California (USC), establishing research centers and endowed chairs focused on critical areas like neuroscience, immunology, and cancer research. Dr. Merkin is also known for creating the Heritage Health Prize, a $3 million global competition aimed at developing predictive models to improve healthcare outcomes.