Artwork
Femeie pe malul mării
Femeie pe malul mării is an unspecified painting by Gheorghe Petrașcu. It dates from 1934 and is held in the collection of the Colecție particulară - Monaco.
About this work
Overview
Gheorghe Petrașcu’s 1934 canvas titled *Femeie pe malul mării* depicts a solitary female figure positioned on a grassy promontory overlooking the sea. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed among other early‑20th‑century Romanian pieces.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a woman seen from behind, clutching a vivid red‑orange umbrella that punctuates the subdued coastal palette. She gazes toward a tranquil expanse of water where a small boat drifts in the distance, suggesting a moment of quiet contemplation amid the openness of the shoreline.
Technique & Style
Petrașcu employs a vigorous impasto technique, laying on thick, textured paint especially on the rocky outcrop and the folds of the woman’s clothing. The brushwork is loose and energetic, creating a sketch‑like surface that captures shifting light and imparts a sense of immediacy to the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in 1934, the painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings sometime after its completion, joining a broader assemblage of Romanian art from the interwar period. Its presence in the museum underscores Petrașcu’s role in shaping the nation’s visual culture during a time of artistic transition.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gheorghe Petrașcu painted quiet scenes of buildings, streets, and still lifes in the 1920s and ’30s Romania.
