CHARLES PFAHL (1946-2013)
Born in 1946 in Akron, Ohio, Charles Pfahl was drawn to art from an early age. He studied at the Art Students League of New York, where he honed his craft under the guidance of mentors such as Jack Richard, Robert Brackman, and John Koch. Pfahl’s work reflected a deep respect for classical traditions while weaving in contemporary themes that spoke to the complexities of modern life. He often depicted fraught and vexed allegories of recent history, drawing inspiration from Christian symbolism, Native American mythology, and the pervasive influence of consumerism.
“For many years, it has been my desire to paint images that evoke strong emotional feelings—no matter how disturbing they may be,” Pfahl once said. His compositions, often filled with broken toys, weathered objects, and richly textured fabrics, evoke a haunting beauty. While the imagery spoke of decay and transience, Pfahl maintained that his true subjects were always color and light, which he handled with masterful precision. Caravaggio’s dramatic use of chiaroscuro deeply influenced his practice, and Pfahl’s work carries forward this tradition with a distinctively modern sensitivity..
