156. Peasant in the Light of the Lamp [1920-1921]

Renowned actor of the past century, Ion Brezeanu will be praised and acclaimed by the public and critics alike, for the exceptional roles he has played both in comedy and drama. Designated "one of the most brilliant interpreters of the role of Ion from "Năpasta" by I.L. Caragiale", he will carry out a considerable construction of Caragiale-like characters throughout his career in the theaters where he acted. He will also stand out in other roles, such as Harpagon from "The Miser" by Molière or the buffoon from "King Lear" by Shakespeare. He was also a film actor, appearing in the first Romanian fiction films, and on theater he performed alongside actors such as Aristizza Romanescu, Agepsina Macri, or Tony Bulandra. The current work portrays the actor playing the role of Ion from the drama "Năpasta" by Caragiale. The artwork was one of the orders requested by Victor Eftimiu in the year 1921. At that time, Victor Eftimiu was the director of the National Theater in Bucharest and had also ordered other portraits, among which we mention that of Agepsina Macri Eftimiu and that of Marioara Zimniceanu. Ressu was chosen to fulfill this order for the talent that the theater director considered of academic origin. The artist will execute several reduction versions of the work, given that one of the initial proposals measured 166.5 x 120.5 cm. Dressed in traditional outfits, the protagonist thoughtfully rests his right arm on the table. "Năpasta", the last play written by Caragiale and also the only drama conceived by him, will offer Ion Brezeanu the opportunity to play one of the most important roles throughout his career. The play highlights the psychology of the peasant, unrequited love, justice or revenge, and last but not least, Christian dogma. "Năpasta" was also the first Romanian play staged in a foreign language (in German, in Cernăuți, in 1895; in Berlin in 1902 and in Hungarian, in Budapest in 1903). Versions of the work can be found in reputed public collections, such as the National Museum of Romanian Literature, the Bucharest City Museum, or the Brukenthal National Museum.

Dimensions

width 69.5 cm, height 99 cm

Description

oil on cardboard, signed lower left, in pencil, "C. Ressu"

Research information

A version of the artwork is reproduced in the catalog of the retrospective exhibition "Camil Ressu. Painting and Graphics", catalog by Doina Schobel, Museum of Art of the Socialist Republic of Romania, 1982, cat. 59, under the name "The actor Ion Brezeanu". A version of the artwork is in the collection of the National Museum of Romanian Literature. A version of the artwork is in the collection of the Bucharest City Museum. A version of the artwork is in the collection of the Brukenthal National Museum.

Dating

1920-1921

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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