ARTIST: Geza Farago (Hungarian, 1877 - 1928)
TITLE: The Gathering
YEAR: 1927
MEDIUM: oil on canvas
CONDITION: Two patches. One small paint loss. One inpainting 1" x 1". Minor damages to frame.
ART SIZE: 19 x 25 inches / 48 x 63 cm
FRAME SIZE: 24 x 30 inches / 60 x 76 cm
SIGNATURE: lower right
PROVENANCE: Auctioneer Shannon's, Date 2008-10-23, Lot 186 (has gallery label on verso)
CATEGORY: old antique vintage painting for auction sale online
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SKU#: 126527
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BIOGRAPHY:
Farago was one of the greatest masters of the early Hungarian poster art. He is the most important artist of the Art Nouveau style in Hungary, his well-known works combine the decorative fineness of "Secession" with exquisite humor and caricature.He studied under Ferenc Ujhazy, then he worked in a textile factory. Later Farago traveled to Paris, where he also worked in a textile factory, besides which he studied at the Colarossi Academy, then in the Atelier Artistique Delaye. In 1900, Farago got a new scholarship to afford his stay in Paris, with which he was able to study at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs. From there, his way led to Alphonse Mucha's workshop, where he worked for two years, side by side with the Czech master. Farago exhibited a couple of times in the Salon in Paris. Like his Czech master, Farago preferred to represent lovely female figures. Farago had a special sense of humor and a caricaturesque style that he was able to seamlessly blend with the stunningly attractive Art Nouveau shapes, patterns and other elements: he has created several unforgettable humorous figures, acting almost like trademarks in his designs (such as the bishop for Kerpel, the dandy for Torley, the cheerful girl for Janina). These figures typified the members of the European and Hungarian urban societies of the time.