Two Women on a Street
Work on paper; drawing/painting • Itzchak Tarkay (1935–2012)
Style & Movement
Modernism; influenced by Fauvism and Post-Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Watercolor and ink on paper; employing transparent washes, wet-on-wet technique, and fine line ink contouring
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (modernist revival style)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 9 inches (viewable); vertical portrait format
Subject Description
The composition features two elegantly dressed women standing in an abstracted urban or café-style setting. The figure on the right wears a mauve dress and holds a basket-style handbag, while the figure on the left is in a green blouse and dark skirt. The background consists of geometric color blocks suggestings buildings and foliage. The subjects embody the 'socialite' aesthetic common in the artist's work, emphasizing leisure and femininity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible signs of mat burn at the edges and slight wavy cockling of the paper
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,000
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,500
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a commercial gallery or through a cruise ship art auction (such as Park West Gallery), where the artist's work was heavily distributed.
Art Historical Significance
Tarkay is a central figure in the late 20th-century decorative figurative movement. His work is significant for its synthesis of Matisse-like color palettes and Toulouse-Lautrec's bohemian subject matter, making high-modernist aesthetics accessible to a commercial global audience.
Notable Features
Features Tarkay's characteristic fluid, minimalist ink line and 'wet' watercolor technique. Signed 'Tarkay' in the lower right corner in his distinctive script.
Condition Issues
Minor cockling (waving) of the paper due to humidity or improper mounting; slight yellowing of the paper at the mat perimeter; potential light fading of more fugitive pigments.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional re-framing using acid-free museum-grade matting and UV-protective glass is recommended to prevent further discoloration and fading. Maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.