Artwork
Natură statică cu flori și cești de cafea
Natură statică cu flori și cești de cafea is a print by Alexandru Ciucurencu. It dates from 1950 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Art of Romania.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1950 by Romanian painter Alexandru Ciucurencu, this still‑life presents a modest arrangement of flowers and coffee vessels on a textured surface. The composition is anchored by a white vase holding vivid red and yellow blossoms, accompanied by a small white cup and saucer, all set against a background of mixed green‑brown brushwork that suggests a wall or tabletop.
Subject & Meaning
The work juxtaposes the fleeting vibrancy of the flowers with the everyday ritual of coffee drinking, inviting contemplation of ordinary moments elevated by colour. The bright petals dominate the visual field, perhaps alluding to the transience of beauty, while the humble cup underscores the routine of domestic life.
Technique & Style
Ciucurencu employs a loose, impasto application, allowing the paint to stand out in thick, textured patches. Bold, saturated hues contrast with the more muted background, and uneven brushstrokes give the surface a spontaneous, unfinished quality characteristic of his post‑Impressionist approach.
History & Provenance
Born in Tulcea in 1903, Ciucurencu studied at Bucharest’s National School of Fine Arts before refining his practice at Paris’s Académie Julian under André Lhote. By the mid‑20th century he had become a corresponding member of the Romanian Academy, and this painting reflects the mature phase of his career.
Context
The piece belongs to a period when Romanian artists were integrating European modernist trends with local sensibilities. Ciurencu’s still‑lifes often combined everyday subjects with expressive colour, aligning with broader post‑Impressionist tendencies while retaining a distinct regional tone.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alexandru Ciucurencu (Romanian pronunciation: ; 27 September 1903 – 27 December 1977) was a Romanian Post-Impressionist painter, and a corresponding member of the Romanian Academy.
