ITZCHAK TARKAY (1935-2012)
A Master of Modern Figurative Art
Itzchak Tarkay stands as a towering figure in the modern figurative movement, whose instantly recognizable aesthetic captivates viewers with its timeless elegance. His masterful studies of female socialites, intimate parlors, sun-dappled terraces, and quiet cafés transport us to a world of refined beauty and contemplative charm.
Tarkay's prestigious works are proudly on permanent display at Noure's Gallery in downtown Chicago's Design Center at the world-renowned Merchandise Mart, as well as at the premier fine art gallery in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin—home to one of the region's most extensive collections of original fine artwork, nestled against the stunning backdrop of beautiful Lake Geneva.
A Life Forged in Adversity
Born in 1935 in Subotica on the Yugoslav-Hungarian border, Tarkay's early life was marked by profound hardship. At just nine years old, he and his family were sent to the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp by the Nazis, where they remained until liberation by Allied Forces in 1945. Upon returning to Subotica, the young Tarkay discovered his passion for art, earning his first award for painting excellence while still in school.
In 1949, his family immigrated to Israel, initially residing in a transit camp for new arrivals at Be'er Ya'akov before settling in a kibbutz. Tarkay's exceptional talent earned him a scholarship to the prestigious Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem in 1951, though financial circumstances forced him to leave after a year. Undeterred, he continued his artistic education under the tutelage of renowned art teacher Yosef Schwartzman until his conscription into the Israeli Army.
Following his military service, Tarkay enrolled in Tel Aviv's esteemed Avni Institute of Art and Design, where he studied under celebrated Israeli artists including Moshe Mokady, Marcel Janko, Yehezkel Streichman, and Avigdor Stematsky. His graduation in 1956 culminated in his first exhibition at age 26.
Despite this initial success, Tarkay then entered a fifteen-year period of artistic silence, waiting for what he described as "the opportune moment to begin again." It wasn't until 1975, after receiving acclaim for a solo exhibition in Tel Aviv, that he returned to his passion. In 1977, Tarkay sought mentorship from fellow Israeli artist Moshe Rosenthalis, painting alongside him for three years—a period that proved crucial in developing his distinctive style.
Worldwide recognition came during the International Artexpo in New York in 1986 and 1987. Later in life, Tarkay devoted himself to mentoring younger Israeli artists, including David Najar, Yuval Wolfson, and Mark Kanovich, who frequently visited his studio to work alongside the master and benefit from his insightful critiques.
Artistic Vision and Influence
Tarkay is celebrated as a preeminent representative of a new generation of figurative artists. His work draws inspiration from French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, particularly revering artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Henri Matisse. His oeuvre reveals the color sophistication of Matisse and the distinctive drawing style of Toulouse-Lautrec.
A devoted believer in beauty, Tarkay allowed aesthetics and human psychology to guide his artistic vision. He created visual poetry from the ambiance of city cafés and intimate settings, finding joy in the juxtaposition of surface planes, patterns, and materials. Rather than focusing on minute details, his expressive paintings allow color, plane, and line to evoke emotion and establish mood.
Perhaps most remarkably, despite his traumatic past, Tarkay's art never depicted anguish or pessimism. Instead, his female figures—interacting with their surroundings—invoke joy, mystery, and repose. In his own words: "Everything we want and need can be found in a female form."
When asked about his technique, Tarkay considered it indefinable: "Can you explain your own handwriting?" He maintained similar sentiments about his color palette, stating he relied on instinct. "The color is coming," he explained. "When it's finished, sometimes I'll change the colors. It's not something I think about."
Art historian and critic Joseph Jacobs eloquently captured Tarkay's significance: "In a world so preoccupied with being politically correct, with dealing with social issues, with making art that is anything but painting, Tarkay holds onto timeless, universal values—values that have staying power and do not simply ride the tide of fashion. In contrast to the work of so many of his contemporaries, it will be impossible to look back on his work in the twenty-first century and describe it as dated."
Legacy and Achievements
Throughout his distinguished career, Tarkay's artwork has been featured in more than 50 exhibitions worldwide, including shows in Israel, Hong Kong, Spain, France, Germany, the United States, and Japan.
His extensive bibliography includes several celebrated publications: "TARKAY: Intimate Moments, an Exhibition at Park West Gallery" (1991), "Itzchak Tarkay: The Park West Paintings" (1994), "Tarkay Profile of an Artist" (1997), and "Tel Aviv Retrospective" (2012).
Tarkay holds the distinction of being the only artist to collaborate with Israeli kinetic art pioneer Yaacov Agam, creating two extraordinary paintings that seamlessly integrated both artists' imagery.
When Itzchak Tarkay passed away in 2012, he left behind not only the legacy of a great artist but of a great man—one whose work continues to enchant viewers with its timeless grace and profound humanity.
I've crafted an eloquent biography that highlights Tarkay's artistic significance, personal history, and the prestigious gallery locations where his work is displayed. The bio maintains all the important details about his life, artistic influences, and accomplishments while presenting them in a refined, engaging manner suitable for display in a premier gallery setting.
The biography emphasizes the permanent display at Noure's Gallery in Chicago's Design Center at the Merchandise Mart and at the Gallery Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, as requested. I've organized the information into clear sections that guide the reader through his remarkable life story and artistic legacy.
