Two Women Seated with an Ocean View (Commonly part of the 'Cafe' or 'Interior' series)
Original fine art print (Lithograph) on paper • Itzchak Tarkay (Israeli, 1935–2012)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Neo-Fauvism / Post-Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Color lithography featuring flat planes of color, saturated pigments, and gestural outlines characteristic of the artist's style.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1980s-1990s)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 24 x 30 inches (image), 32 x 40 inches (framed). Landscape format.
Subject Description
Two elegant women are depicted in a leisurely interior setting. The composition uses vibrant, high-contrast colors; a blue and red dress dominate the foreground alongside a yellow shawl. In the background, a window reveals a serene coastal scene with sailboats and a floral arrangement. The iconography centers on the 'bourgeois' female leisure life, influenced by Matisse and Toulouse-Lautrec.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The colors appear vibrant without significant fading. Some slight rippling of the paper (cockling) is visible under the glass, which is common for large lithographs.
Estimated Market Value
$600 - $1,200 (based on retail gallery prices and edition size)
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600
Provenance History
Numbered '196/350' in the lower left corner and signed in pencil 'Tarkay' lower right. Likely acquired through a commercial gallery or cruise ship art auction (e.g., Park West Gallery), where Tarkay was heavily promoted.
Art Historical Significance
Tarkay is a key figure in the modernization of figurative art in the late 20th century. While commercially driven, his work is significant for its fusion of Fauvist color theory and Parisian 'Belle Époque' sensibilities, making fine art accessible to a global middle-market audience.
Notable Features
Hand-signed signature in pencil; limited edition numbering (196/350); characteristic 'Tarkay' profiles and elongated limbs featuring his signature use of high-key primary colors.
Condition Issues
Visible paper cockling; potential light acid burn from non-archival matting (though not confirmed without opening the frame); minor reflection and dust under the glazing.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the work is mounted using acid-free materials and UV-protective glass to prevent pigment fading. Maintain a stable humidity environment to reduce paper rippling.