Iosif Mikhailovich Gurvich was born in Kishenev to a poor Jewish family in 1907. Studied at Yu. R. Bershadski’s classes, Odessa in 1923-1925; Odessa Polytekhnikum of Visual Arts in 1925-1930. Active in Odessa until 1932; Moscow from 1932. Began exhibiting in 1929. Member of ARMU. Taught at Odessa Art Institute in 1930-1932; Moscow Municipal Studio for Invalids of the Great Patriotic War from 1946; children’s art school, Krasnaya Presnya borough, Moscow in 1959-1967. Died in Moscow in 1992.