An alluring and provocatively moody original pastel by Hungarian-born artist Pál Fried, which is signed by the artist in the lower left corner and housed behind glass in a beautiful, ornate gold carved wood frame. A sensual portrait of an amorous vixen in a black lace bodice with seductive bedroom eyes made more intoxicating by Fried’s use of shadowing, giving the impression of a dimly-lit room, private and inviting. This buxom, blue-eyed, red-lipped beauty is an excellent example of Fried’s fondness for experimenting with light and movement. Dancers, nudes, and Parisian inspired female portraits were his specialty and he worked primarily in pastel or oil paints.
Pal Fried, (1893-1976), Hungarian American artist, was born in Budapest and studied at the Hungarian Academie under Professor Hugo Pohl and in Paris under Claude Monet and Lucien Simone. Under Pohl’s influence, he executed many portraits, nudes and Oriental scenes in pastel. He was also greatly influenced by the French Impressionist School of Renoir and Degas. His works are listed in the Fine Arts Book. Fried’s signature on his paintings was Fried Pal, last name first in the European manner. He is sometimes listed in auction catalogues and reference books erroneously under the letter “P”.
While traveling in Spain and Africa, Pal Fried widened and enriched his palette, which gave him mastery of light and movement. After returning to Paris, Fried concentrated on portraiture in which he also became a recognized master. He exhibited his work in Budapest. In 1947, after WW II, he emigrated to America where he taught at the Academy of Arts in New York and developed his own unique style and technique. In the 1950’s and 60’s, Pal Fried gained popularity while living and painting in Hollywood. He made the rounds and often painted high society women and celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and the Gabor sisters. In New York, he painted portraits of Herbert Lehman (Governor and Senator from New York), Will Rogers and other notables.
Pal Fried died in New York City at his home, 1737 York Avenue, on March 6, 1976, at the age of 82. He died four days after the death of his beloved wife and frequent model, Eva.
