Kurt began painting at an early age working for multiple advertising companies as a traditional artist. This painting was executed in 1975 as dated in the lower right corner serving as an early example of painting in the surrealist style. Painting this work with what appears to be a two cut flaps in the canvas peeling in both directions reveals a bright gold inner layer. This work is so well painting that when viewing the painting it begs you to walk up, pull both flaps away revealing the secret that lies behind. 

Painted in mostly grey the contrast with the yellow makes it pop and aesthetically attractive to the eye when hung on the wall. The condition is excellent with no repairs, punctures, indentations etc... but their is some minor marks from light handling where fingers have touched in the corners with what looks like natural oil from ones hands. A light clean would remove these minor stains.

The images provided accurately represent the quality, condition and aesthetic beauty of this fine painting but if you have any questions please feel free to email us below or call directly at (407)-739-3068.

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ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

"Turning Back the Pages" by Esmond David Ezra. Table V A.4 born 5/1/1913

"Kurt Larisch was born into a family of third generation artists in Vienna, Austria in 1913. He was first exposed to art in his grandfather's sculpture studio and in the photography and painting atelier of his father. Establishing himself as a graphic artist, he was one of the first in Europe to involve himself in the new field of animated film.

In 1938 political instability interrupted his work and Kurt Larisch found himself in England, then in India. He became art director in one of India's new and most progressive advertising agencies. There were 25 major languages to deal with; it was a challenge which left a deep impression on him.

At the same time he continued to paint in the conventional manner having five one-man shows during his eight years in the country. There were troubled times, and he was not unaffected by what he saw prior to India's independence. For five weeks he was interred as an enemy alien. Released, he became art director for the firm recruiting for the British Armed Forces in India. He met his wife in Calcutta in 1939 and in 1947, with his daughter Linda, the family moved to the USA (Records show that Kurt and Linda officialy married much later, on October 29th, 1973, in Bexar County, Texas).

At each state Kurt Larisch acquired another view, another inspiration. He absorbed what his new environment in New York offered, then opened his own Graphic Art Studio. He continued to paint in a conventional manner, but felt that something was lacking. Having visited Mexico several times, he realized a move there would give him the motivation, freedom and independence to develop and concentrate on his own ideas without having to cater to commercial demands. His family moved there in 1970.

They traveled widely in the country, sensitive to yet another history and culture, until he was propelled into abandoning traditional techniques for an art form influenced by every culture he had encountered. He became one of Mexico's most celebrated contemporary artists (as listed by AMISTAD - magazine of the American Society in Mexico). He developed a style and technique he felt more appropriate for a complicated world, and more appropriate for a questing youthful audience.

Kurt Larisch was obsessed with man's predicament in a world hell-bent on self destruction. His Kafkaesque, surrealistic message is, as one critic put it, "a civilized protest against dehumanization."

In his work with bright colors, Kurt Larisch expresses a critical view of conformity and dehumanization through large geometric elements that include masses of tiny human figures.

"My father was a prolific painter," said Linda Larisch with obvious

pride. "He painted several thousand paintings until his eyesight prevented it."

Kurt Larisch lived in Sarasota with 200 of his paintings. While it is customary for the artist to give each completed work of art a title, the elder Larisch chose not to follow this practice. "He did not really title his paintings because there were so many," said Linda Larisch, explaining that her father started with the letter A and each year later continued through the alphabet and numbered the paintings he did throughout the year. "The letters closer to the beginning of the alphabet are earlier works."

Larisch's fame as an artist did not begin in America but in Mexico, where the artist lived for 20 years painting his particular style of work. In Mexico, Larisch found the freedom and independence to develop his ideas and make a personal statement on modern times.

In his art, Larisch delivers his message with wit and humor through his portrayal of little people intent on going somewhere, but getting nowhere.

A master.

OBITUARY (HERALD TRIBUNE):

Kurt Larisch

Jan. 5, 1913 - Jan. 21, 2009

Kurt Larisch, 96, Sarasota, formerly of Mexico, died Jan. 21, 2009.

Wiegand Brothers Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include wife, Ramah; daughter Linda; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Mr. Larisch is a renowned artist and beloved husband."