Ferenc Gaál was born in Debrecen. He attended the art academy in Budapest. Took several study tours in Germany, France and Italy. Received several awards. Held successful exhibits all over Europe. After the war he lived in Austria for six years. Went to the U.S. in 1951. Lived first in Cleveland, then moved to Los Angeles in 1952, where he lived until his death in 1956.

He was an impressionist painter, his paintings showed varied subjects. He captured Hungarian, Austrian, Italian landscapes and cities. He painted also still-lives and portraits.