A Fond Memory

Description of Art: A Fond Memory is a lyrical and nostalgic work by Tarkay, characteristic of his focus on elegant female figures, intimate moments, and emotionally resonant atmospheres. The composition typically presents a solitary or paired woman (or women) in a contemplative or softly posed stance, draped in flowing garments and set against a simplified, softly colored backdrop.

Tarkay’s signature style of layering delicate washes, subtle textures, and color gradations gives the figures a dreamlike quality—neither fully anchored in the moment nor entirely abstracted from it. The brushwork is refined but expressive, with gentle transitions between light and shadow that emphasize mood over detail. In A Fond Memory, one senses a longing, a quiet reverie: the title itself evokes the delicate balance between what was and what is.

His use of warm tones—soft peaches, muted golds, delicate pinks—often harmonizes with cooler accents, creating an overall palette that feels both intimate and timeless. The aesthetic is elegant, sentimental, and deeply personal without veering into sentimentality.

In versions of A Fond Memory that appear on the market, the piece is often a hand-embellished serigraph on canvas, which means the base print is enhanced by additional touches of paint, color, or detail by the artist or studio.