Joseph Zarutka (Hungarian, b. 1860)

Oil on panel, signed.

Zarutka was born in Hungary. However, when it was time for his to artistic training to begin, he traveled to Austria to study at the Academy of Vienna with Professor Pochwalski. Following his formal studies, he traveled throughout Europe. He ended in Paris where he remained for many years.
Principally a painter of still life compositions, his works were remarkable for the exceptional reality with which he depicted his scenes. Once he began to exhibit, his paintings typically commanded the highest prices of the exhibition.
During Zarutka’s life, many of his paintings were sent to the United States for exhibition and sale. Additionally, several museums in Austria and Hungary own his works in their permanent collections.