68. Mad King [1980]

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68. Mad King [1980]

Corneliu Baba

1906, Craiova - 1997, Bucureşti

Estimate:

EUR 30.000 - 50.000

Sold

EUR 60.000

References

ȘUȘARĂ, Pavel, "Corneliu Baba", Parkstone Publishing House, London, 2001

oil on cardboard, 63.5 x 52 cm, 63,5 Ã 52 cm, signed upper right, with brown, "Baba, (19)80"

The "Mad Kings" cycle is one of the most expressive topics approached by Corneliu Baba in his entire career. Alonside "Spaime" ("Fears"), these two topics also touch other registers than the evidently pictorial ones. Recognised as a fine psychologist, Baba confesses deep feelings and beliefs, and, through an original approach of the visual complex, he transfers this apparently dreamlike universe to canvases of a profound philosophical nature, from the point of view of human analysis. The theme of the "Kings" appears in Baba's creation before the "Fears", although, upon a first glance, these themes appear connected, the former actually seeming to be subsequent to the latter. In fact, the king theme finds its roots in a revised approach to the portrait. The portrait is reorganised, and the imaginary is recreated following some characteristics reaching a different level of appreciation than the merely visual one. The theme becomes obsession, which will perpetuate itself throughout several decades, making obvious the fact that the painter's sensations are also decisive when compositions are conceived. Therefore, this nocturnal chaos emerges, reflecting the existential turmoil and the fight against destiny. The obvious pathos of his works becomes a resignation and rebellion ceremony, everything under the spectrum of an anthropocentric universe, in a dialogue about dehumanisation. The portrait ambiguity of the Kings cycle is precisely the way Baba tries to emphasize the human drama, which, moreover, is also combined with a spiritual degradation.

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