Description

This piece beautifully captures a summer day at the 59th Street Pond in Central Park, New York City.

The scene is lively with people strolling around the pond, framed by lush green trees and the iconic 5th Avenue skyline in the background. The reflections on the water are beautifully rendered, creating a perfect, painterly effect that draws the viewer into the tranquility of the moment. And look at those fantastic puffy clouds floating against the deep-blue sky.

From around 1960 to 1969, our family lived in an uptown Manhattan apartment, specifically in Spanish Harlem. This was our first home after arriving in the United States, thanks to the American Red Cross and the Presbyterian Church of New Jersey. Central Park became our haven. It was a place where we could find joy and freedom, especially important since we were quite poor at the time.

Dad had an immense love for Central Park. To him, it was not just a park but a vibrant artist's playground, full of life and inspiration. His appreciation for the park's beauty and the sense of peace it offered is evident in this work, and so many of his others. The vivid colors and dynamic brushstrokes reflect his admiration for classical artists like Dufy, Matisse, and Van Gogh, and his training at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest.

This piece is more than just a painting; it is a snapshot of our early days in America and a testament to Dad's enduring spirit and artistic vision. Through his eyes, we see Central Park not just as a physical space, but as a symbol of hope, resilience, and the beauty that can be found even in the simplest moments.

On this day in 1963, Dad setup his easle and created this piece near a path on the edge of 59th Street Pond. ❤️

Through My Father's Eyes