54. Farewell of the Past (Traviata) [1899]

In the last years of the nineteenth century, Ipolit Strâmbu was aware of the limitations of an artistic education confined only to the School of Fine Arts in Bucharest – which he completed in 1895. Therefore, after enrolling and winning the competition for studying abroad, the painter arrived in Munich in the spring of 1896, benefiting from a four-year scholarship. In the Bavarian capital, Strâmbu was to encounter a style much more rigid than the style back home, rigid to the extent that German "academism" was already a generalized style. The masters our painter encounters in Germany were representative of this aforementioned manner, Carl Marr at the courses of the Royal Academy, but also Azbe at his private school. However, according to Strâmbu's words, he would allow himself to be more influenced by the aesthetics of Jusepe de Ribera. These are the years when Strâmbu creates many compositions with idyllic characters, nudes and female figures in romantic postures, with various symbolist influences, a style from which he would only distance himself after returning home (spring of 1901).

References

OPREA, Petre, "Ipolit Strambu. Painter and professor" in S.C.I.A., vol I, 1963, pages 237-245

Dimensions

width 78 cm, height 96 cm

Description

oil on canvas, signed and dated bottom left, with ochre, ”Strâmbu, (18)99”

Dating

1899

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