Kalman Kemeny 1896-1994 Oil Still Life of Roses

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Description

We are offering for sale this lovely still life oil painting on canvas by the Hungarian artist Kalman Kemeny, who has signed the painting Kemeny in the top left hand corner. The painting depicts a bulbous china vase filled with rosed in mixed colours ranging from white through yellow, pink to red. Two of the roses lay on the table, awaiting their placement in the vase.

Kelman Kemeny was born in Budapest in 1896 and showed a very early aptitude for art. He attended the Academy of Fine Art in Budapest (1913-1914), but was drafted into the army at the outbreak of WWI. On the recommendation of his Professor, he became the official war artist for the army and, in fact, was the youngest War Artist at the German Austro/Hungarian front. The Imperial War Museum has three of his paintings from this period and, in 1977, interviewed him about his experiences.

After the war, he married his wife Martha and moved to Vienna, where he attended the Academy of Creative Arts (1920-1923), followed to a two year post-graduate course. He supported himself by undertaking commissions. From 1925-1938, he lived in Pilsen Czechoslovakia. Whilst travelling in Western Europe during the late 1930s, he realised the declining political situation in his homeland and arranged for his familty to join him in London, where he remained for the rest of his life. His daughter Lydia is also a listed artist.

He joined the Ben Uri Art Society and at his first exhibition which was to be judged by Augustus John, John pointed to one of his exhibits and said 'That's the winner'. On going upstairs to view more exhibits, John saw another painting and said 'Forget that chap downstairs, that's the winner'. This was Kalman Kemeny's other entry!

During WWII he volunteered and worked in a Spitfire factory and did fire-watching, while continuing to paint and exhibit at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions, the New English Art Club and elsewhere and continued to exhibit after the war.

He also taught at Hammersmith and Chelsea School of Art (1947-1979), alongside Ruskin Spear and Vivian Pitchforth. For some years, he was Advisor to the House of Commons Fine Art Committee.

His 1930s paintings, portraits, landscapes and still lives became popular, as they represented the austerity of the period and his still lives were representative of the 'kitchen sink' style. There are 8 of his paintings in the National Collection, 3 in the Imperial War Museum, 3 in the Jewish Museum of Art and 2 at the Hamilton Kerr Institute of the University of Cambridge. They can be viewed at artuk.org.

There are numerous auction listings for his work at the usual sites. His studio sale was held at Christie's on 30th June 2005. A Retrospective Exhibition of his work was held at the Ben Uri Art Society in 1991.

The painting is newly framed in a 3" ornate, swept, gilt frame and will be supplied wired and ready to hang.

Image size: 19 3/8" x 15 3/8" - 49.2cm x 39cm

Frame size: 25 3/4" x 21 3/4" - 65.4cm x 55.2cm

Medium: Oils on canvas

Condition: Very good condition. There are no repairs to the canvas, which is clean and taut. There is no craquelure, paint loss or stretcher marks. The frame is new.
Date1930s : Mid 20th Century Codeas237a1235 PriceSOLD Price confidential so please don't ask. Thank you. StatusSold SellerStudio RT Ltd Telephone01622 812556Non UK callers :+44 1622 812556 Emailstudiortuk1@btconnect.com

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