Offered by NewAGG Raritet Antique Gallery
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A rare and captivating original large-scale double portrait by renowned Hungarian-American artist Pál Fried (1893–1976), executed in pastel and charcoal on paper. This masterfully composed unique artwork beautifully merges the soft, atmospheric line work of French Impressionism with the mid-century Hollywood glamour that defined the artist's peak era. Offered in its original silver-finished frame. Unique piece (1 of 1).
About the Artwork:
This exceptional large-scale work showcases a more intimate, graphic side of the celebrated 20th-century portraitist Pál Fried. Best known for his vibrant oil paintings of Parisian dancers and high-society ladies, this piece highlights Fried's absolute mastery of life drawing, pastel manipulation, and human anatomy.
Measuring an impressive 100 x 70 cm (unframed), the artwork features a sensual and deeply expressive double portrait of a Black female model. In the foreground, she is depicted in a frontal semi-nude pose, holding a direct, magnetic gaze with the viewer. In the background, like a subtle echo or a study in motion, the same subject is captured in profile. The brilliant contrast between the dense, velvety charcoal tones of the foreground and the warm, earthy ochre hues of the background figure creates a remarkable sense of volume, depth, and cinematic atmosphere.
About the Artist:
Pál Fried (1893–1976) was a distinguished Hungarian-American artist whose works are recorded in major international art registries. He studied at the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts under Hugo Pohl before moving to Paris to refine his skills under the mentorship of Claude Monet and Lucien Simon. Profoundly influenced by the aesthetics of Renoir and Degas, Fried developed a unique, fluid style.
After emigrating to the United States in 1947, he taught at the Academy of Fine Arts in New York. During the 1950s and 1960s, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he became a highly sought-after portraitist among Hollywood celebrities and high society. Today, his theatrical, ballet, and figurative works are held in prominent private collections and museums worldwide.
• Medium / Technique: Pastel and charcoal on paper (Mixed media)
• Signature Details: Hand-signed by the artist in charcoal/pastel in the lower-left corner: "FRIED PÁL". The signature features the artist's characteristic spelling (last name first, in accordance with Hungarian tradition) and the distinctive accent mark over the letter "Á".
• Condition: excellent vintage/gallery condition. Housed in an elegant, substantial silver-finished wooden frame that perfectly complements the artwork’s graphic tones.
