115. Innocence

The photos of the lot are informative and indicative, and cannot provide a highly detailed view of the object from all angles. We recommend a careful physical inspection of the lot before bidding.

115. Innocence

Ştefan Luchian

1868, Ştefăneşti - 1916, Bucureşti

Estimate:

EUR 12.000 - 18.000

Sold

EUR 26.000

References

CEBUC, Alexandru, "Luchian", Monitorul Oficial Publishing House, Bucharest, 2008. LASSAIGNE, Jacques, "Ștefan Luchian", Meridiane Publishing House, Bucharest, 1972. DRĂGUȚ, Vasile, "Luchian", Meridiane Publishing House, Bucharest, 1968.

charcoal and pastel on canvas pasted on cardboard, 28.5 x 26 cm, 28,5 Ã 26 cm, signed bottom right, with charcoal, "Șt. Lukian"

Luchian’s journey into art began with religious paintings in the interiors of places of worship. The artist did not excel and did not make an impression on the viewer through these works, so he tried to find a path that would help him to better harness his talent. He thus enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts and also in the Conservatory in Bucharest. Both institutions provided him with the necessary tools to perfect both his sense of harmony and his sense of tuning, as necessary in painting as in music. He also attended Grigorescu’s workshop, where he acquired a set of formative insights. However, it avoided becoming imitative. Grigorescu often presented Luchian as his successor in Romanian art. And indeed, the artist rose to the level of the master’s expectations, even managing to reform Romanian art, especially by adapting it to the international artistic movements at the time. Luchian felt enchanted by the winding line and the decorative rhythm of the Art Nouveau movement, which is why he took and included these traits in his own creation. In the Munich school he learned to pay special attention to drawing and to composition in painting. Studying Degas, he felt inspired by works in which horse races or indoor scenes were represented. He also admired Edouard Manet, so we can find the influence of the French Impressionist in his pastel portraits. He no longer fully conformed to the conventions of form, but tended towards an idyllic vision. Especially in the period before 1900, he focused on female portraits. Considered the painter of youth and feminine grace, Luchian had the capacity to suggest am entire biography of the model depicted in his paintings. He simplified his model and captured some physiognomic details in an idealized manner, thus making a decorative-psychological portrait. (D.C.)

For clarifications regarding the bidding procedure, hammer price costs, guarantee, payment, and collection terms for the winning lot, we recommend carefully reading/re-reading the Bidding Regulations.

For additional information regarding the lot and the auction, please contact the Art Consultants Department.