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79. Crayfish [1908-1909]

Ştefan Luchian

1868, Ştefăneşti - 1916, Bucureşti

Estimate

EUR 30.000 - 50.000

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Session

Thu, 18 June 2026 19:00

The still lifes painted by Stefan Luchian represent a standalone subject in his artistic corpus, though rarely encountered. If we remove the famous flower compositions from Luchian's work, we are left with a rather limited number of still lifes, most of which have fruits as the central subject. The first still lifes with fruits (especially those with cherries) were created by the artist in the early period, between 1893 and 1895, when he was still an adept of an academic structure. Exceptions to this statement are compositions such as "Poppy and Skull", "Carp" or "Still life with vegetables". About the subjects of his still lifes, Luchian said, "A radish is a significant subject. You are obliged to get its portrait right when you start such work." Therefore, we notice the almost tangible materiality with which Luchian deals with the subject of still lifes, regardless of the technique or material used. Luchian does not merely imitate nature but offers balance and rhythm to the image by harmonizing the compositional scheme. The work at hand was created in the period between 1908 and 1909, in the period of artistic maturity, when the precarious state of health forced the artist to largely give up creation trips (to Brebu and Moinesti) and concentrate on working in the studio. In those years, Luchian participated in important exhibitions organized at the Romanian Athenaeum and within the artistic societies of the time, such as "Artistic Youth" or "Art". Made in watercolor, a technique rarely approached by the artist for still lifes, the work has crabs and several elements of domestic props - vegetables, a plate, and a glass. Although the theme is modest, it gains expressiveness through the chromatic richness of the orange and brown shades, which suggest the idea of abundance. The crustacean forms are carefully contoured, and the working process remains visible through the ink lines that precede the application of watercolor. The work has the character of an in-depth study of form and materiality. The drawing and color accurately depict the texture of the subjects, suggesting their density or glossiness. However, the artist transcends simple realistic observation, adding sensitivity and rigor to the image. Unlike other subjects approached by Luchian, such as "The Haham" or "View from Moinesti", which were later transposed into oil painting, the composition "Crabs" does not have an equivalent version in this technique. Only another version made in watercolor is known. Thus, the present work represents a deep, finished, and detailed study, which constitutes a standalone work of art.(L.M.)

References

ENESCU, Theodor, "Ştefan Luchian: Painting. Pastel. Watercolor. Drawing", Romanian Cultural Institute, Bucharest, 2007 JIANU, Ionel, "Luchian", Art Hearth Publishing House, Bucharest, 1947

Dimensions

width 44 cm, height 34 cm

Description

watercolor and pencil on paper glued on cardboard, signed lower right, in black, "Luchian"

Research information

The artwork participated in the retrospective exhibition "Ștefan Luchian", Dalles Hall, Bucharest, 1939. The artwork is reproduced in the album "Ștefan Luchian", Ionel Jianu, Petre Comarnescu, State Publishing House for Literature and Art, Bucharest, 1956, p. 82, respectively p. 193, cat. 167. The artwork participated in the retrospective exhibition "Ștefan Luchian", Art Museum of the RPR, 1957 and is mentioned in the exhibition catalog by Theodor Enescu at p. 93 cat. 223. The artwork is documented and reproduced in "Luchian. The Critical Catalogue", Theodor Enescu, ICR, Bucharest, 2007, at p. 430. The artwork participated in the exhibition "Luchian and the Independents", Art Safari, Bucharest, 2017 and is reproduced in the exhibition catalogue at p. 102.

Dating

1908-1909

PROVENANCE

I.D. Nicolau's collection (bought from the artist and bequeathed to his daughter) Valentina's Dr. Nicolau collection Dr. Maria Avramescu's collection

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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