Artwork
Cap de bărbat (Nebunul)
Cap de bărbat (Nebunul) is a print by Aurel Băeșu. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Moldova National Museum Complex.
About this work
Overview
Cap de bărbat (Nebunul) is a portrait study by Aurel Băeșu, a Romanian painter associated with the Impressionist movement.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a close-up view of a man's face and shoulders, conveying a serious expression with a furrowed brow and hint of a beard. The title 'Nebunul' translates to 'The Madman', suggesting the subject may be a representation of a person with mental illness.
Technique & Style
The work features thick, impasto brushstrokes, particularly around the hair and collar, creating a textured surface. Băeșu's use of dark colors, punctuated by warm yellows and a red collar, draws attention to the subject's face, which is set against a blurred background.
History & Provenance
Created around 1850, the painting reflects Băeșu's engagement with the style of Nicolae Grigorescu, a influential Romanian artist. Băeșu's generation of painters was shaped by Grigorescu's techniques, evident in the work's approach to form and atmosphere.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Aurel Băeșu (26 May 1896 – 24 August 1928) was a Romanian Impressionist landscape and portrait painter. Many of his works show the influence of Nicolae Grigorescu; an influence that was common among painters of his generation.
