Artwork
Învingerea răului
Învingerea răului is an unspecified painting by Albert Nagy. It dates from 1970 and is held in the collection of the Székely National Museum.
About this work
Overview
Albert Nagy’s 1970 painting Învingerea răului is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The canvas presents a stark composition in which a shirtless male figure stands before a rearing horse that dissolves into the surrounding darkness. Cool blues and grays dominate the background, while the figure’s warm brown skin draws the eye forward.
Subject & Meaning
The work juxtaposes a solemn, unclothed man with a shadowy equine form, suggesting a confrontation between humanity and an ominous force. The horse’s near‑invisibility against the dark backdrop evokes a sense of looming threat, while the man’s serious expression and exposed torso imply resolve or vulnerability in the face of that threat.
Technique & Style
Nagy employs impasto, applying thick layers of paint that create a palpable texture on the canvas. The heavy brushstrokes give the figure’s skin and the horse’s silhouette a tactile presence, while the cool tonal palette of blues and grays accentuates the contrast between the illuminated figure and the surrounding gloom.
History & Provenance
Created in 1970, Învingerea răului entered the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography, where it remains on display. The museum’s acquisition of the piece reflects its interest in works that explore cultural narratives through expressive, painterly techniques.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albert Nagy painted mid-20th-century Romanian scenes: village markets, snow-dusted towns, and construction sites.
