Artwork
Natură moartă cu prune; verso: peisaj cu case
Natură moartă cu prune; verso: peisaj cu case is a print by Mendel Wechsler Arnold. It dates from 1935 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Art of Romania.
About this work
Overview
Natură moartă cu prune; verso: peisaj cu case, created in 1935 by Arnold, Mendel Wechsler (also known as Max Arnold), is a dual-sided artwork featuring a still life on the front and a landscape with houses on the reverse.
Subject & Meaning
The still life side depicts a somber arrangement of a bowl of dark blue fruit (likely prunes), ears of corn, and a dark blue mug on a white cloth, set against a dark background. The subdued mood and composition may reflect the artist's contemplation of everyday life.
Technique & Style
The painting exhibits loose, expressive brushstrokes, conveying spontaneity. A muted color palette predominates, with the dark blue of the fruit and mug providing contrast against lighter tones, while chiaroscuro techniques enhance depth and volume.
History & Provenance
The work is housed at the Museum of Ethnography, though the circumstances of its acquisition and earlier ownership history are not detailed here.
Context
Created in 1935, the piece reflects the artistic tendencies of the time, blending representational elements with expressive brushwork, possibly influenced by early 20th-century European art movements.
Legacy
While specific influence or notable exhibitions of this work are not highlighted, it contributes to the broader understanding of Max Arnold's oeuvre and the use of chiaroscuro in interwar European art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mendel Wechsler Arnold painted scenes of still life and city life, often signed on the back.
