Seated Woman with Floral Blanket
Original painting on canvas or high-quality serigraph on board • Itzchak Tarkay (Israeli, 1935–2012)
Style & Movement
Figurative Art / Post-Impressionist revival / Modern Decorative Painting
Medium & Technique
Oil or acrylic paint on canvas with flat color fields and linear anatomical detailing
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1980s-1990s)
Dimensions & Format
Tall vertical rectangular format (estimate 12x36 inches image size); overall frame approx 20x45 inches
Subject Description
A contemplative brunette woman seated in a café or domestic setting, a characteristic subject of Tarkay. She wears a black blouse and is draped in a dark floral patterned blanket or skirt. The background is divided into blue and purple fields with faint, gestural line-drawings suggesting other figures in a cafe atmosphere. The mood is one of quiet, elegant solitude.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; colors remain vibrant with no visible craquelure or fading
Estimated Market Value
$3,000 - $6,000 (if original oil on canvas); $400 - $800 (if serigraph/multi-media print)
Auction Estimate
$2,500 - $4,500 (Original painting)
Provenance History
Likely originally purchased from an upscale gallery like Park West Gallery or a cruise ship auction, which were primary distributors for Tarkay's work in this period.
Art Historical Significance
Tarkay is a key figure in modern Israeli art, known for his unique synthesis of Matisse's color fields and Toulouse-Lautrec's bohemian subjects. His work defined a specific style of decorative figurative art in the late 20th century.
Notable Features
Signature located in the lower right bottom corner. The work features Tarkay's signature use of flat decorative planes contrasted with thin, expressive line-work in the background imagery.
Condition Issues
No major issues visible. Minor dust accumulation on the frame and matting. Requires inspection out of frame to verify if the paper/canvas is acidity-free.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep out of direct UV light to prevent fading of the vibrant pigments. Professional reframing with UV-protective glass recommended if not already present.