Artists & Stories

Nicolae Grigorescu (1838 - 1907) stands as the founding father of modern Romanian painting - a visionary who brought light, nature, and humanity to the forefront of art. Inspired by the Barbizon School yet uniquely original, Grigorescu transformed rural life and the Romanian landscape into poetic celebrations of beauty and truth. His portraits and peasant scenes reveal both realism and tenderness, capturing the soul of a nation through color, light, and simplicity.

Corneliu Baba (1906-1997) was, above all, a painter of humanity. Through his nudes, portraits, and peasant scenes, Baba revealed man as both a physical and moral being - shaped by the earth, burdened by existence, yet dignified in his melancholy. His works, from Dinner and Rest in the Field to the haunting Harlequins and Mad King series, capture the tension between vitality and despair, between the mask and the soul beneath. In every brushstroke, Baba searched for the essence of human truth - fragile, solemn, and profoundly alive.

Nicolae Tonitza (1886 - 1940) remains one of Romania’s most sensitive interpreters of the human soul. His portraits of children, clowns, and everyday figures radiate warmth and melancholy, blending tenderness with vibrant color. The famous “Tonitza eyes” reflect innocence shadowed by quiet sorrow, turning emotion into timeless beauty. Influenced by Daumier and Manet yet profoundly original, Tonitza transformed color into feeling and humanity into art. Through his serene vision and expressive tones, he gave voice to the “luxuriantly colored sadness” of his age - a poetic celebration of life’s fragile depth.

Often called the “poet of Romanian painting,” Ștefan Luchian (1868–1916) left an indelible mark on the art of his homeland. Known for his vibrant use of color and delicate, almost musical brushstrokes, Luchian captured both the beauty of Romanian landscapes and the quiet dignity of everyday life. His floral still lifes, brimming with energy, light, and emotion, remain some of the most celebrated works in Romanian art history. Despite being plagued by illness in his later years, which eventually left him paralyzed, Luchian continued to paint by holding the brush tied to his wrist, a testament to his unwavering passion and resilience. Today, he stands not only as a master painter but also as a symbol of artistic dedication in the face of adversity.