Hans Burkhardt pastel entitled Seated woman in white

From the collection of Dr. Aurelio de la Vega, the world renowned Cuban composer, conductor, and music professor, who taught at Cal State Northridge (CSUN) for over three decades, during which time he was Distinguished Professor of Music and Director of the Electronic Music Studio. This gorgeous pastel was acquired in the 1950's, by the present owner. It is unframed, and in very good condition. It is signed, and dated 1945. It is 24 x 18". Hans Burkhardt (1904 – 1994) was a Swiss-American artist who immigrated to New York in 1924. He studied at Cooper Union and then at Grand Central School, where he met Arshile Gorky, a pivotal artist in the transition from Surrealism to Abstract Expressionism. Burkhardt quickly became Gorky’s colleague and trusted friend. They even collaborated on several works. From 1928 to 1937, Burkhardt shared Gorky’s studio. Willem de Kooning, another Gorky disciple, was a frequent guest. Moving to Los Angeles in late 1937, Burkhardt served as a link between East