Marie Cofalka - Portrait of a Red Headed Woman in Profile - Oil on Board P2854

We are huge admirers of Marie Cofalka's work. Direct, seemingly simple, concentrated and powerful. And, though the painter's method here is approaching abstraction, the sitter's personality is strongly felt.

Measures 16" x 12".

Marie Cofalka (1924-2004)

Cofalka was born 1924 Heidelberg Germany. The family relocated to Poland, likely during the war, she escaped Poland and later ended up in Philadelphia PA, working as an artist.

She was single. Some of her work has been stamped with an address of 1023 S Farragut St in Philadelphia, which was used as a studio during the day.

In 2003, she became ill with cancer and passed away on Dec 20, 2004. It is not clear why but in 2003, the city deemed her building to be abandoned. At that time, the REC took over her property and demolished her studio, destroying much of her art. They later sold the land.

One work that we have identified she did the cover art for is a book titled “A Joyful Harvest” which was a religious text.

She worked for a company called Graphic-Arts-Studio-Helmarcof in Philadelphia.

In 1974 she won a bronze award at The Artist’s Guild of Delaware Valley.

She created church art, on bulletin covers and programs, as well as several book covers. She was self taught and influenced by Picasso, Moore, Warner and others. The works we are offering all appear for have been painted in the 1940-1950s.

Cofalka died in Florida in 2004