Artwork
Case
Case is an unspecified painting by Cecilia Cuțescu-Storck. It dates from 1929 and is held in the collection of the Bucharest Municipality Museum. Created around 1929 by Romanian artist Cecilia Cuțescu‑Storck, this oil work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1929 by Romanian artist Cecilia Cuțescu‑Storck, this oil work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The canvas depicts a modest seaside settlement, rendered with a focus on everyday structures and vessels rather than idealised scenery.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a cluster of stone houses perched near the shoreline, their simple forms suggesting a community tied to the sea. Weathered wooden boats lie on a low rack, while a rugged cliff and a dark, restless ocean form a dramatic backdrop, hinting at the precarious relationship between the villagers and the forces of nature.
Technique & Style
Cuțescu‑Storck employs thick, textured brushwork, especially evident on the boats and buildings, creating a palpable surface that conveys the roughness of the setting. This impasto‑like handling gives the scene a tactile quality, emphasizing materiality over smooth finish and reinforcing the impression of a candid, lived‑in environment.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced in the late 1920s, a period when the artist was exploring Romanian regional themes. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings sometime after its creation, where it remains displayed as part of the institution’s representation of rural and coastal life.
Context
The work reflects broader interwar interests in national identity and folk culture, aligning with Cuțescu‑Storck’s engagement with Romanian subjects. Its focus on a humble fishing village parallels contemporary artistic efforts to document everyday labor and landscapes amid rapid social change.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cecilia Cuțescu-Storck was a Romanian painter with a strong influence on cultural life in the interwar period.
