Artwork
Vânzătoarea de fructe
Vânzătoarea de fructe is an unspecified painting by Samuel Mützner. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the Colecție particulară - București.
About this work
Overview
Samuel Mützner’s 1916 picture titled Vânzătoarea de fructe is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition depicts a solitary woman standing outdoors beneath an open sky, clutching a woven basket brimming with fruit. The scene is set against a backdrop of sturdy trees with verdant foliage, rendered in bright, saturated tones.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a female fruit vendor, identifiable by her long pink skirt and light shawl draped over her shoulders. Her warm smile and the abundance of fruit suggest themes of generosity and daily labor, while the expansive sky and surrounding trees convey a sense of openness and connection to the natural environment.
Technique & Style
Mützner employs a pronounced impasto technique, applying paint in thick, textured layers that give the surface a tactile quality. The brushwork is vigorous and uneven, creating a rough, scraped appearance. Colors—vivid reds, greens, and yellows—are applied in bold, unmixed strokes, allowing each hue to stand out sharply against the others.
History & Provenance
Created in the final year of World War I, Vânzătoarea de fructe entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display. The work reflects Mützner’s interest in everyday folk subjects and contributes to the museum’s broader representation of early‑twentieth‑century Romanian visual culture.
Artist & collection
