April marks a premiere for Artmark – an auction dedicated to Art Nouveau, Romanticism and Symbolism in Romanian visual art, represented by a selection of 27 exceptional works. Paintings and drawings signed by prestigious representatives, at some point, of these artistic trends – Nicolae Vermont, Kimon Loghi, Nicolae Tonitza, Nicolae Grigorescu, Stefan Popescu and others – will illustrate the forms adopted by trends opposing rationalism and academism in early 20th century-Romanian art.
The highlight of the auction is the painting “Peasant Girl Resting”, by Nicolae Grigorescu (oil on canvas, 65 x 44 cm), one of the most enchanting portraits of female figures signed by the Romanian master. By the motif of the woman surrounded by nature, the work serves to illustrate Symbolist influences in Grigorescu’s work, whereas the idyllic presentation of the Romanian village brings him closer to Romanticism. Belonging to an essential stage in Grigorescu’s body of work, dedicated to representations of the traditional rural world, the painting is significant as reflection of an artistic consciousness at the crossroads between tradition and modernity. The work is estimated somewhere between EUR 150,000 and 250,000.
Another remarkable work in the auction is Nicolae Tonitza’s painting, “Tiger Lilies” (oil on cardboard, 59.5 x 24 cm). Belonging to the last stage of his work, defined by a decorative style, influenced by Japanese art, the painting is a testament to Tonitza’s exquisite use of colour. The work’s estimated value ranges between EUR 25,000 and 35,000. At the same time, a rare work on offer in the auction is “Irises” (watercolour on satin, 19 x 14 cm), signed by Queen Marie, one of the few works by the latter to find its way on the Romanian art market. The painting reflects the artist’s sensitive rendering of flowers, which she was very fond of and which were at the centre of her work. The work is estimated somewhere between EUR 2,000 and 3,000.
Artmark also organizes the Postmodernism and Contemporary Art Auction, which will comprise 95 rare works, including the painting “The Princess”, by Alexandru Bunescu, representing a full-scale steam engine, which may be included in the Guinness Record Book as the world’s largest art work ever put on sale by an auction house. The work’s estimated value ranges between EUR 50,000 and 60,000.
Tuesday, April 13, 7:30pm
Venue: J.W. Marriott Grand Hotel
