A characterful portrait of a seated gentleman reading a newspaper by Hungarian-Swedish artist, Béla Adalbert Hradil (1885-1968). The headline reads “Factory Occupied By French” and the front page also mentions “Gaulle” (presumably former French President Charles de Gaulle). So it’s possible that the painting dates to around 1944/45.

The newspaper is Dagens Nyheter (Today’s News), which is published in Stockholm.

Hradil was an interesting gentleman who had numerous talents alongside his skill for painting including art conservation, photography and music. His father was a music director and Hradil played various instruments, such as the violin, guitar and ocher, particularly well.

He tended to paint stills, landscapes, horses, landscapes and portraits - each with his own distinctive approach to colour.

He studied art in Budapest and later at Hollosys School of Painting in Munich.

The painting is signed in the upper right and housed within a beautiful swept frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 26” x 29½” / 66cm x 75cm
Year of creation: c. 1944
Provenance: Sweden
Condition: Very presentable overall. Frame with light age-related wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £1,103 achieved for ‘Hästar vid brunn’ at an auction in 1990.