Artwork
Băutorul
Băutorul is a print by Corneliu Baba. It dates from 1941 and is held in the collection of the Moldova National Museum Complex.
About this work
Overview
Corneliu Baba’s painting *Băutorul*, executed around 1941, portrays a solitary figure seated with a glass in hand. The subject is rendered in a muted palette, his attire consisting of a dark, loosely draped vest and a tie, while his expression remains solemn.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a man with wavy hair and a neatly trimmed mustache, appears absorbed in contemplation. The near‑empty glass suggests a moment of pause or introspection, inviting viewers to consider themes of solitude and the passage of time.
Technique & Style
Baba employs thick, impasto brushstrokes that give texture to the clothing and background, creating a tactile surface. The handling of light and shadow hints at chiaroscuro, while the unfinished, sketch‑like areas lend the work a sense of immediacy and rawness.
History & Provenance
Created during the early 1940s, *Băutorul* reflects Baba’s mature period in Romanian art. The painting’s provenance remains limited to private collections, with no record of public exhibition until recent scholarly interest highlighted its significance.
Artist & collection
Artist
Corneliu Baba was a Romanian painter, primarily a portraitist, but also known as a genre painter and an illustrator of books.
