Antal C. Goldfinger was born November 22, 1964, in Gyongyos, Hungary. From childhood he had a noticeable and keen ability in drawing and painting. At the age of 16, he studied at the Academy in Berze, acquiring the fundamental skills. His skills were honed with the experience and observations that came with service in the Hungarian army and NATO in Munich.
Antal arrived in Seattle, Washington, at age 22 and supported his wife and two sons in a variety of occupations while strengthening his artistic vision.
Later, he went back to Hungary to study with a highly regarded Hungarian master of landscape painting, learning the traditional techniques of “plein aire” painting; landscape painting done in the open air rather than in a studio. The technique encourages “alla prima” or painting without preliminary drawing and an appreciation for true values because of the frequently changing outdoor light. Antal spent endless days painting at Lake Balaton, the great lake in central Europe, where he fell in love with marine painting.
On his return to Seattle, Antal continued his studies in figurative painting at the University of Washington. He explains that this experience was of particular importance in “identifying color” in a formal and comprehensive approach to art. At this time he began to apply all he had learned to a new interpretation of landscape painting and painting busy market scenes brimming with colors of the vegetable stands. With this subject matter, a gradual interest in still life painting began which he continued while studying old-world still life painting at the Kostka studios. This helped to clarify certain techniques and ideas in his mind concerning his objectives as an artist.
Today, confident in his unique position as an important still life and marine painter, Antal’s methods of painting have become synonymous with quality. He rapidly draws the essential object of his composition, then begins blocking in the main areas of color. Bringing the painting to completion through subtle blends of tints and tones, his use of light and dark intervals across the form allows the eye to enjoy the overall conception of rhythms. The gestation of his subject matter may take years, but once the problems of composition are resolved he paints directly on the canvas.
Antal is a master of the equilibrium achieved through combining classical balance of form and space with the spontaneous execution of color. It is the magical unity of form and color that makes him an artist recognized throughout the world.
Antal’s works are exhibited in some of the finest galleries and museums in the United States and Europe, including many important private collections.
ANTAL GOLDFINGER
MASTERS GALLERY
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