Artwork
Tablou, tuș pe hârtie, „Ctitorul”, atribuit lui Levente Csutak. Tabloul îl prezintă pe Nicolae Ceaușescu și realizările sale - Canalul Dunăre Marea Neagră, Combinatul Petrochimic Midia Năvodari, Prometeu (statuia de la Barajul Vidraru), modernizarea orașelor - construcția de blocuri de locuințe pentru oamenii muncii. În partea dreaptă jos este reprezentat un grup de oameni entuziaști. Comandat și oferit de Comitetul Județean de Partid Brașov (1983).

Tablou, tuș pe hârtie, „Ctitorul”, atribuit lui Levente Csutak. Tabloul îl prezintă pe Nicolae Ceaușescu și realizările sale - Canalul Dunăre Marea Neagră, Combinatul Petrochimic Midia Năvodari, Prometeu (statuia de la Barajul Vidraru), modernizarea orașelor - construcția de blocuri de locuințe pentru oamenii muncii. În partea dreaptă jos este reprezentat un grup de oameni entuziaști. Comandat și oferit de Comitetul Județean de Partid Brașov (1983). is a print by Levente Csutak. It dates from 1990 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Romanian History.
About this work
Overview
The work, titled “Ctitorul” and executed in ink on paper, is attributed to Levente Csutak. Commissioned by the Brașov County Party Committee in 1983, the piece portrays Nicolae Ceaușescu surrounded by visual references to major infrastructure projects promoted during his rule.
Subject & Meaning
Ceaușescu is depicted centrally, flanked by symbols of industrial and civic development: the Danube–Black Sea Canal, the Midia Năvodari petrochemical complex, the Prometheus statue at Vidraru Dam, and rows of residential blocks intended for workers. A group of enthusiastic figures in the lower right corner underscores the propagandistic narrative of collective progress.
Technique & Style
Rendered in black ink, the composition relies on strong contour lines and stark contrasts to delineate architectural forms and human figures. The use of laurel branches framing the leader and a fluttering flag evokes triumph, while the simplified, almost schematic rendering of buildings reflects the official visual language of the era.
History & Provenance
The drawing was produced under a state commission and presented as a gift from the local party organization in Brașov in 1983. Its attribution to Csutak, a Hungarian‑Romanian artist active in the late communist period, is based on stylistic analysis and archival records linking him to official commissions.
Context
Created during the final decade of Romania’s socialist regime, the image functions as visual propaganda, celebrating Ceaușescu’s self‑styled role as the nation’s “builder.” The highlighted projects were flagship achievements touted by the regime to legitimize its centralized planning and cult of personality.
Artist & collection
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