Explore the elegant blend of feminine grace and natural beauty in Women & Landscape, an acrylic on cardboard masterpiece that Itzchak Tarkay created in 1987. This captivating 179 × 119 cm painting invites viewers into a tranquil world where figures and scenery merge seamlessly, showcasing Tarkay’ssignature style of relaxed intimacy and vibrant color play.
About the Artist
Itzchak Tarkay (1935–2012) emerges as one of Israel’s most beloved figurative artists, known for his evocative portrayals of women in leisurely settings. Born in Subotica, Yugoslavia (now Serbia), Tarkay survived internment in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II before immigrating to Israel in 1949. Moreover, he studied at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem and later at the Avni Institute of Art in Tel Aviv, where he honed his skills in drawing and painting.
Furthermore, Tarkay drew inspiration from French Impressionists like Henri Matisse and Fauvists, yet he developed a distinctive post-Impressionist approach that emphasized bold colors, fluid lines, and serene compositions. Consequently, his works often celebrate femininity, leisure, and everyday elegance, earning him international acclaim through exhibitions in galleries across Europe, the United States, and Asia.
The landscape
In Women & Landscape (1987), Tarkay positions two women in a dreamy outdoor scene that pulses with soft energy. One woman with striking red hair lounges gracefully, while her companion sits nearby, both enveloped by abstract trees, flowing branches, and earthy tones of green, teal, and beige. Moreover, red accents in the branches add vivid contrast, and the muted background suggests a misty horizon that draws the eye deeper. Furthermore, Tarkay employs loose brushstrokes and layered colors to create texture and depth, making the figures feel both intimate and part of the larger natural world. Thus, the painting captures a moment of quiet connection, blending human forms with landscape elements in a harmonious, almost poetic way.
Artistic Significance
What makes this work particularly compelling lies in how Tarkay actively fuses portraiture with nature to evoke tranquility and introspection. He does not merely depict women; instead, he integrates them into the environment, symbolizing unity between humanity and the world around us. In this way, Women & Landscape reflects Tarkay’s broader theme of feminine empowerment through relaxation and self-expression, influencing countless admirers and collectors. Moreover, the piece’s generous scale (179 × 119 cm) allows it to command attention in any room, while its soothing palette and active composition make it both visually engaging and emotionally uplifting.
Available at Kings Gallery Jerusalem
Kings Gallery Jerusalem proudly offers this exceptional acrylic on cardboard by Itzchak Tarkay.
Kings Gallery is a leading fine art gallery established in Jerusalem in 1995. We strive to collect and sell the highest quality historic and contemporary Israeli and International art. The gallery specializes primarily in artists from the early period of the 1920’s. Besides, Kings Gallery features leading up-and-coming young artists who will definitely be prominent names in the next few years.
Contact Kings Gallery Jerusalem today, and you can learn more about availability, pricing, or schedule a viewing of this beautiful piece in person.
