126. Study for "Vârful cu dor"

In 1884, starting from the popular legend of "Miorița", interpreted under the name "Vârful cu Dor" by Queen poetess Carmen Sylva, artist George Demetrescu Mirea transposes a poetic ideal. Being both illusionary and concrete through the illustrated legendary subject matter, the work "Vârful cu Dor" will know a resounding success. In 1884, the work will be exhibited during the Paris Salon, being strongly praised by French writer and Academy member Henry Houssaye (1848 – 1911) in the "Revue de deux mondes" magazine (1st of June 1884). On his return to Bucharest, the artwork will be present in the first exhibition of the artistic and literary association "Intim-Club" (founded on the 2nd of February 1885), along with several other representative works by the artist. In 1900, the work "Vârful cu Dor" would be part of the 1900 Paris Exposition, where it would receive the "Hors concours" award. The work would be purchased by Nicolae Blaremberg (1837 – 1896) for 12,000 Lei, being repurchased later on by Vasile Morțun (1860 – 1919) for 10,000 Lei. In the summer of 1916, he will send it to Moscow, along with other paintings. Another important presence would be this work's participation in the Bucharest 1906 "Jubilee Exposition", where representative works by Romanian painters and sculptors were due to be displayed. In 1908, the artist would execute a large-sized replica of the artwork, for which he would carry out several detail studies. Another late replica of the work would be accomplished by the artist 40 years after the first version was painted, using the studies related to the first version and the same size, hence attempting a revival of the "Vârful cu Dor" which was lost in Moscow. (G.M.)

References

PETRAȘCU, Nicolae, "G. D. Mirea", Casa Școalelor Publishing House, Bucharest, 1943. ENESCU, Theodor, "G. D. Mirea", Meridiane Publishing House, Bucharest, 1970.

Dimensions

width 245 cm, height 97 cm, custom 97 × 245 cm

Description

oil on canvas, signed bottom right, with brown, "Mirea"

Research information

Study for the artwork "Vârful cu dor", 1883.

PROVENANCE

collection of mezzo-soprano Nella Dimitriu

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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