Seated Ballerina Watercolor Gouache Chalk on Buff Paper Signed Fried Pal Framed

PRODUCT DETAILS

• Brand: Signed FRIED Pál — attributed to Pál Fried (Hungarian-American, 1893–1976); signature reading only, not independently authenticated

• Material: Watercolour and gouache over graphite with chalk or soft-pastel heightening on buff/tan wove paper; framed under glass in a narrow copper-gilt moulding with a grey/taupe mat and plywood backing board

• Dimensions: Framed 23 3/4 x 29 in; sight approx 18 x 21 in, with the sheet continuing under the mat

• Color/Finish: Warm buff paper ground left largely bare, dry opaque white for the tutu, transparent brown and pink washes for the flesh, visible graphite contours; grey/taupe mat, copper-gilt frame

• Condition: Good with one real defect — a pronounced horizontal cockle runs across the lower third of the sheet, through the inscription and signature, consistent with top-only hinging in a humid environment; a paper conservator could re-hinge and flatten it. No foxing, tears, losses, abrasion or staining visible through the glass. The even buff tone is the artist's chosen stock, not discolouration. Glass intact and clean, mat with one or two small surface specks, light rubbing to the outer frame edge. Medium was assessed through glass and has not been confirmed unframed

• Era/Period: 20th century; the work is not dated

• Provenance: Inscribed in ink at lower right "With friendship to Mr Girard." The owner states that Mr Girard was his grandfather and that the sheet passed from the dedicatee to him in a single step and has remained in the family since it was given. The back carries no gallery label, dealer stamp, stencil or inscription of any kind

• Subject: A ballerina in a white tutu seated on the floor, seen from behind and slightly to the side, head bowed onto her raised arms, both pointe shoes showing. Signed FRIED Pál in drawn block capitals over a ruled line with a compressed cursive Pál — documented Fried works are signed in a cursive "Fried Pal," so this signature has not been matched to published examples and the work is offered as attributed, not authenticated

A loose, study-like ballerina sheet in the wings subject Pál Fried returned to more than any other, worked in washes and dry bodycolour over a warm buff ground that carries most of the mid-tones. What sets it apart from the usual saleroom example is the inked dedication across the lower right and the family account behind it: given to a named recipient and kept by his descendants, with no dealer marks on the verso. It is framed and glazed and ready to hang as found, and the one horizontal cockle is the kind of framing fault a paper conservator can address. Buyers who want certainty on the signature should plan on a specialist comparison against documented Fried inscriptions.