ARTIST'S BIOGRAPHY

Laszlo Tar was born in 1922 in the county of Szabolcs, Székely, in eastern Hungary. He began to draw and paint his world at the early age of five (1927) and continued his work as an artist for the next 90+ years until his passing in 2019. 

In his early years, he worked with Kálmán Szabó Gáborjáni. He first studied at the Nyíregyház free school of fine arts. He was formally educated at the Budapest Royal Academy of Fine Arts (1943-1948) under Hungarian master Szõnyi István. Because of his involvement in the arts, and through the personal request of his instructor, Szõnyi István, he was saved from serving in World War II. In 1946, his studies carried him to Bologna, Italy, where he became an apprentice to Italian master Giorgio Morandi. In 1948, he married his wife Olga. From 1953 to 1956 he taught middle-school art and worked with master Szõnyi in the master's studio. His works can be found in the collection of the Hungarian National Gallery and the Andras Josa Museum, Hungary. He gave his first one-man show in Budapest, in 1955, and his success afforded him the opportunity to earn a living selling his work to collectors, publishers, and the local government. In 1956, he escaped with his family from Hungary to Austria, during the Hungarian revolt against communism. With the assistance of The American Red Cross, they emigrated to the United States (1956 - Camp Kilmer, New Jersey), settling finally in New York City, in 1960. Throughout the next four decades, he passionately focused on his painting, drawing, and woodcuts, while working for periods in the New York textile industry (WestPoint Pepperell, F. Schumacher & Co.). In the 1970s he continued his artistic work with American master Raphael Soyer, at The New School, in New York City. From 1971 to 1977 he attended the New York Art Student League and took part in numerous "Washington Square Park Outdoor Art Show" street exhibits, and small group shows, on Long Island, New York. In 1977 (and in 1995) he traveled to England, France, Italy, and Holland on a major personal art journey. In 1989, he participated in a major four-person show, in Budapest, Hungary, at the Budapest Galeria. During 1991, he had numerous one-person shows throughout Hungary, sponsored by noted dignitaries (Dr. Bozsony Ferenc - Zebegeny Galeria, Dr. Banszki Istvan - Nyiregyhazi Varosi Galeria). In 1994, Tar's work and life is written about in a Hungarian short novel - "Én Még Láttam a Kikötöt" (I Still Saw the Harbor) - Eigel István - Magyar Irokamara. Starting in 1993, TIS Publishing was founded by his youngest son (Julius) to further promote his fine art through the development of numerous Internet-based art galleries and fine limited edition reproduction prints (1993 - ART.net, 1995 - TARART.com, 2022 - MyTARART.com). In 1995, he traveled to Venice, Italy, with his son Julius on a painting holiday, where he completed 36 watercolor works in 12 days. In 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2004, Tar's artwork was selected and licensed by General Electric Corporation, Simon & Schuster / Prentice Hall, and CityMeals on Wheels for inclusion in publishing projects. In 1997 and 1998, Tar's work was formally introduced to the limited edition print market at ArtExpo, New York City. In 2000, Laszlo Tar was personally invited to exhibit at the New York Consulate of the Republic of Hungary by the Hungarian ambassador to the United States, Dr. Laszlo Molnar. In 2001, he exhibited at the Huntington Arts Council "Art in the Atrium" exhibit (Huntington, New York).

In 2008, after his wife of over 60 years, Olga, passed away, Laszlo Tar moved to Long Island, New York, to live with his son Julius. He continued his artistic work with incredible vigor through 2017.

Laszlo Tar passed away peacefully in 2019, at age 97. He completed his final work of art in 2018.

This and all online art galleries featuring Laszlo Tar's art are family-owned and operated.