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Born in
1922 in the county of Szabolcs, Hungary, Laszlo Tar began to draw and
paint his world at the early age of five (1927). He was formally
educated at the Budapest Academy of Fine Arts (1943-1948) under
Hungarian master Szőnyi István. In 1946, his studies carried him
to Bologna, Italy where he became an apprentice of Italian master Giorgio
Morandi. From 1953 to 1956 he worked with master Szőnyi in
the master's studio. He gave his first one-man show in 1955, in Budapest,
and his success afforded him the opportunity to earn a good living selling
his work to collectors, publishers and the local government. In 1956,
he escaped with his family from Hungary to Austria, by foot, during
the Hungarian revolt against communism. With the assistance of The
American Red Cross, he emigrated to the United States with his family
(1956 - Camp Kilmer, New Jersey), settling finally in New York
City, in 1957. He continued his work with American master Raphael
Soyer, at The New School, in New York City. Throughout the next
four decades, he passionately focused on his painting, drawing and woodcuts,
while working for periods in the New York textile industry (WestPoint
Pepperell, F. Schumacher & Co.). From 1971 to 1977 he attended
the New York Art Student League and participated in numerous "Washington
Square Park Outdoor Art Show" exhibits as well as small group shows
on Long Island. In 1977 (and in 1995) he traveled to England,
France, Italy and Holland on major personal art works projects. In 1989,
he participated in a major four person show, in Budapest, Hungary at
the Budapest Galeria. During 1991, he had numerous one-person shows
throughout Hungary, sponsored by noted dignitaries (Dr. Bozsony Ferenc
- Zebegeny Galeria, Dr. Banszki Istvan - Nyiregyhazi Varosi Galeria).
In 1994, Tar's work and life is written about in a Hungarian short novel
- "Én Még Láttam a Kikötöt"
- Eigel István - Magyar Irokamara. In 1995, TIS PublishingT
was founded by his son (Julius) to further promote his fine art
through the development of fine limited edition prints and numerous
Internet-based art galleries (www.TARART.com, www.ART.net)
to display his art portfolio. In 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2004
Tar's artwork was selected and licensed by General Electric Corporation,
Simon & Schuster / Prentice Hall, CityMeals on Wheels for inclusion
in corporate, educational and charity publishing projects. In 1997 and
1998, Tar's work was formally introduced to the limited editions print
market at ArtExpo, New York City. In 2000, Laszlo Tar was personally
invited to exhibit at the New
York Consulate of the Republic of Hungary by the Hungarian ambassador
to the United States, Dr. Laszlo Molnar. In 2001, he exhibited at the
Huntington Arts Counsel "Art in the Atrium" exhibit (Huntington,
New York). His biography appears in the "Who's Who in America"
and "The Artist's Blue Book". and today, Laszlo Tar's watercolor
paintings and drawings are part of the permanent collections of the
Budapest Museum of Fine Art and the Municipal Museum in Rome. His artwork
is collected, admired and sought after throughout the world.
Laszlo Tar peacefully passed away in 2019, at age 97. His final work of art was completed in 2017. This art gallery is family owned and operated.
*****
An Introduction to the Art of
Laszlo Tar
Laszlo
Tar's creative collection today amounts to over 6,000 original works,
mostly on paper. His creations include watercolors, oils, drawings and
woodcuts. Much of his subject matter deals with human life and existence
in New York City, where he has lived for most of his life. In particular,
his landscape paintings, India ink drawings and woodcuts offer a unique,
nostalgic and highly expressive view of metropolitan life that is rich
in emotion. His collection also includes a massive portfolio of flower
paintings that are incredibly decorative and colorfully unique. And
his paintings of Europe and Long Island, New York are simply breathtaking.
The very first thing one notices about Laszlo Tars
art, both in his watercolors and oils, is the incredible freshness of
his palette, as he magically captures moods with color and wonderful
composition. Turning to his India ink and oil pastel drawings and further
to his woodcuts, the focus is completely shifted to a careful cross-examination
of the social setting, depicted with an intense sense of personal involvement.
His watercolors, oils, drawings and woodcuts, together, reveal an unceasing
striving for perfection of expression. As a life-long artist, Laszlo
Tar has compiled an impressive collection of work that is as diverse
as it is large. He has experimented with a wide variety of techniques
and media not as a dilettante, but as a master craftsman with a burning
desire to employ in his work the widest possible range of expression.
Invariably, whether in his paintings or his graphic work, he always
pursues the same ideals. Tar's work is significantly influenced by life
in America. Yet his style is distinctly European, resulting in a rich
palette mix that is fresh, very painterly and genuinely his own. Tar
does not aim to capture detailed realism in the basic sense, and indeed
he goes beyond the sensibilities of typical impressionism. His scenes
are always recognizable, but there is ample room for the viewer's mind
to explore and learn -- so that he or she too become part of the
original inspiring moment. This incredible connection with the viewer
grows with each new study of his work, bringing a reward that is inherent
with the art of great masters. His work and his person reveal extraordinary
reflection and interpretation of his emotions and life-spirit, combined
with the world that he sees and feels at the moment. His personal charm,
respect and love of life are undeniable elements of greatness in his
works of art. There is indeed no gimmicks, no artifice -- just pure,
exquisite fine art.
"My most
compelling desire is to make my intentions clear; to
express my innermost beliefs and feelings and to expose
the subjective part of me. It is a marriage of eye and
decision." -- Laszlo Tar
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