Portrait of Fred Mendel
Artist
Georges Csató
(Hungarian, 1910 - 1983)
Date1966
Mediumoil on canvas
DimensionsOverall: 73 x 53.5 cm (28 3/4 x 21 1/16 in.)
Frame/Pedestal: 79.7 x 60.5 cm (31 3/8 x 23 13/16 in.)
Frame/Pedestal: 79.7 x 60.5 cm (31 3/8 x 23 13/16 in.)
Credit LineThe Mendel Art Gallery Collection at Remai Modern. Gift of Mrs. Johanna Mitchell 1989.
Copyright© The Estate of Georges Csató
Object number1989.13.1
Classificationspainting
On View
Not on viewGeorge Csató had gone to Prague in the late 1930s fleeing the Nazis and was subsequently captured, as a Hungarian Jew and soldier, by the Soviets in Budapest and sent to a labour camp. While in captivity he was allegedly forced to paint Joseph Stalin’s portrait. After the Second World War, he settled in Paris and, for a brief period in the 1950s, came to Canada to teach at the University of Saskatchewan.
George Csató had been one of teen-aged Eva Mendel’s teachers in Budapest and Vienna. Fred Mendel and his family spent much of the 1930s moving throughout a troubled Europe. They shared a history of displacement and a deep friendship with Csató, in addition to respect and admiration for his artistic endeavours. Fred Mendel bought many of Csató’s paintings and included them in exhibitions of his private collection.
George Csató had been one of teen-aged Eva Mendel’s teachers in Budapest and Vienna. Fred Mendel and his family spent much of the 1930s moving throughout a troubled Europe. They shared a history of displacement and a deep friendship with Csató, in addition to respect and admiration for his artistic endeavours. Fred Mendel bought many of Csató’s paintings and included them in exhibitions of his private collection.
