Pál Fried, “double Portrait” — Original Pastel, Circa 1950

A rare and captivating large-format original graphic work by the renowned Hungarian-American painter Pál Fried (1893–1976), executed in pastel and charcoal on paper. This masterful composition, a one-of-a-kind piece (1 of 1), brilliantly blends the ethereal touch of French Impressionism with the elegance of 1950s–1960s Hollywood glamour. Presented in its original silver-plated frame.

About the Work:
This exceptional piece highlights a more intimate and graphic facet of the renowned 20th-century portraitist, Pál Fried. Known primarily for his vibrant oil paintings depicting Parisian dancers and high-society ladies, the artist demonstrates here an absolute mastery of life drawing, pastel technique, and human anatomy. On a sheet of impressive dimensions (100 x 70 cm unframed), the work presents a sensual and deeply expressive double portrait of a Black female model. In the foreground, she is depicted facing the viewer in a semi-nude pose, gazing directly at the viewer with a magnetic stare. In the background, like a subtle echo or a study in movement, the same subject is captured in profile. The striking contrast between the dense, velvety tones of the charcoal in the foreground and the warm ochre hues of the silhouette in the background lends the composition remarkable volume, beautiful depth, and an almost cinematic atmosphere.

About the artist:
Pál Fried (1893–1976) was a highly renowned Hungarian-American painter, listed in major international art dictionaries and registries (Bénézit, etc.). He first studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest under Hugo Pohl, before moving to Paris to further his training with Claude Monet and Lucien Simon. Deeply influenced by the aesthetics of Renoir and Degas, Fried developed a fluid and instantly recognizable style. After emigrating to the United States in 1947, he taught at the Academy of Fine Arts in New York. During the 1950s and 1960s, he settled in Los Angeles (Hollywood), where he became a highly sought-after portraitist of celebrities and American high society. Today, his theater-inspired works, ballet scenes, and figurative compositions are featured in prestigious private collections and museums around the world.

• Technique and media: Pastel and charcoal on paper (mixed media)
• Signature: Signed by the artist in charcoal in the lower left corner: "FRIED PÁL" (following the Hungarian tradition of placing the last name first, with the characteristic accent on the "Á").
• Condition: Excellent vintage/gallery condition. The artwork is protected under glass and presented in its elegant, solid original frame made of silver-patinated wood.