Martin Friedman Figurative Oil Painting "Opus #15"

Item Details

Martin Friedman (Hungarian/American, 1896 – 1981)
Opus #15
Oil painting on canvas
Unsigned
Label attached to the verso

’Born in Budapest, Hungary, Martin Friedman (1896-1981) took part in the mass
immigration to Ellis Island, experienced by 12 million people between 1892-1924, at the age of nine years old. His upbringing was modest, with his parents described as lower-middle class, moving to the United States in homes of financial success. In an interview with Dorothy Seckler for the Smithsonian Institution’s Archive of American Art, Friedman recalled being the only “foreign-born” family in the neighborhood and not speaking any English while attending school in Yonkers, New York.

Living between New York and Massachusetts in his lifetime, Friedman was introduced to art while in New York City at the age of 16. Two years into working a tiresome factory job, Friedman was introduced to the New York Academy of Art at the recommendation of a friend. He was accepted into the school at the age of 16. While being the main provider for his family, Friedman attended art school at night after working 12 hour shifts, 6 days a week. Eventually, he was unable to juggle the load, quitting his factory job and starting to work as an assistant at a commercial illustration company. Within a year of working as an assistant, Friedman would find success in working in commercial art for 6 months of the year and freelance for the remainder.’

-sheaferking.com

Condition

- cracking throughout; billowing to canvas; stretcher abrasions; minor wear to frame.

Dimensions

- measures frame.

Item #

ITMGM44302