Thelma Thal Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1903 - d. 2001

Thelma Thal grew up in a wealthy New York family and was exposed to all the arts and museums of New York City. She was very talented as a teenager and was involved in the arts as a concert pianist, opera singer as well as a painter. She won a scholarship to the Sorbonne in Paris to further her education, but her father refused to let her go. To prove her worth to him she ceased painting and began working in her fathers’ art business, where she eventually met her future husband. Just a few years later the depression hit, and her family lost everything including the fur business and real estate. Months later he passed away leaving the family in debt. Thelma joined her husband’s fledgling fur business, first paying off the father’s debts and continuing to work in the business for the next 30 years. Very little creative painting was done during those years. Her husband moved the business to Florida in the early 1060’s and the business became quite successful. It was at this stage that Thelma was free to return to her love of painting. She continued her studies at the Miami Institute of Art. Her work is comprised mainly of figures in a modernistic style. In her free time, she immersed herself in volunteering for many organizations arising to president and chairman of many events over the course of 30 years. Thelma lived and accomplished life and remained spirited until the age of 98.