Artwork
Sf. Nicolae
Sf. Nicolae is a drawing by Maria Deac Poenariu. It dates from 1979 and is held in the collection of the Alba Iulia Unification National Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1979 by Romanian artist Maria Deac Poenariu, the work titled Sf. Nicolae is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The image portrays a solitary figure in a richly ornamented red robe with gold trim, standing before a church façade. A blue sky forms the backdrop, punctuated by two cloud formations that contain additional figures.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is presented with a crown, a blue sash bearing a gold cross, and a book held in his hands, attributes traditionally associated with a saintly or ecclesiastical persona. The combination of regal dress and liturgical symbols suggests an homage to Saint Nicholas, emphasizing his role as a protector and benefactor within Christian iconography.
Technique & Style
Poenariu employs a vivid palette, contrasting the deep red of the robe with the bright blues of the sky and sash. The composition is rendered with precise, decorative detailing, especially in the gold accents and patterned fabrics. The stylized clouds, containing miniature figures, add a narrative layer while maintaining a flat, graphic quality characteristic of the artist’s visual language.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings after its creation, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s focus on works that illustrate Romanian folk and religious traditions, aligning with Poenariu’s broader oeuvre that often engages with cultural heritage.
Context
Produced during the late 1970s, Sf. Nicolae emerges from a period when Romanian artists frequently revisited national religious motifs within a contemporary framework. Poenariu’s choice to depict a saint in a modern, decorative manner mirrors a broader trend of reinterpreting sacred subjects through a personal, stylistic lens.
Artist & collection
Artist
Romanian sacred-art drawings and paintings, 1970s–1990s, show biblical figures and local saints in clear line and flat color.
Museum
Alba Iulia Unification National Museum
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