Two Elegant Women (Manner of Itzchak Tarkay)
Painting on canvas • School of or Manner of Itzchak Tarkay (Israeli, 1935–2012)
Style & Movement
Neo-Fauvism / Decorative Figurative Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil or high-viscosity acrylic on canvas, utilizing heavy impasto, wet-on-wet blending, and alla prima application.
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (c. 1990-2010)
Dimensions & Format
Approx. 24 x 20 inches; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
Two stylized, melancholic women in fashionable attire (wide-brimmed hats, floral accessories) seated in a social setting. The composition emphasizes bold, non-naturalistic color blocks and flat, pale skin tones typical of 'café society' art.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent/Very Good; the paint surface appears vibrant with no visible craquelure or pigment loss.
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $800 USD (as a decorative work/manner of)
Auction Estimate
$200 - $500 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a commercial gallery or cruise ship auction house (e.g., Park West Gallery), which frequently distributed similar Tarkay-style works.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the commercial art boom in the late 1990s that popularized 'Café Life' subjects. While it lacks the primary hand of a master, it reflects the global influence of Israeli figurative artists like Tarkay and Isaac Maimon on contemporary decorative art.
Notable Features
Prominent use of a palette knife or stiff brush for the yellow and white highlights in the foreground; heavy contouring around the faces to mimic the 'Tarkay' look.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust; edges may show slight rubbing from the frame rebate. No structural damage visible.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct UV sunlight. Use a dry micro-fiber cloth for light dusting; do not use chemical solvents on the high impasto.