Artwork
Portretul prietenei - schița III
Portretul prietenei - schița III is a print by Tiberiu Nicorescu. It is held in the collection of the Gavrila Simion Eco-Museum Research Institute Tulcea.
About this work
The signature in the corner reads "Nicorescu" and dates it to 1963, showing it’s a quick study, not a finished work.
This sketch shows a person’s face from the side, with long hair falling over their shoulders. The artist used only black ink on white paper, leaving the background plain. The face is simple but expressive, with quick, loose brushstrokes.
The signature in the corner reads "Nicorescu" and dates it to 1963, showing it’s a quick study, not a finished work. The focus is on shapes and shadows rather than details.
Next, look up Nicorescu, Tiberiu to see more of his loose, expressive sketches.
Overview
This ink sketch, dated 1963, is the third in a series of studies by Tiberiu Nicorescu. Executed in black ink on white paper, it captures a profile view of a woman with long hair cascading over her shoulders. The background remains untouched, emphasizing the figure’s form. The work bears Nicorescu’s signature and date, confirming its status as a preparatory study rather than a polished portrait.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a woman seen in profile, her identity unspecified but rendered with quiet intimacy. The absence of contextual details directs attention to the subtleties of her posture and expression. The sketch conveys a sense of stillness and introspection, suggesting a moment of pause rather than a formal portrait. Its focus on gesture over narrative invites contemplation of the individual’s presence.
Technique & Style
Nicorescu employed swift, fluid ink strokes to define contours and shadow, avoiding fine detail in favor of tonal contrast. The loose handling of the hair and facial planes reveals an emphasis on movement and volume. The plain paper serves as a neutral field, heightening the impact of the ink’s economy. This method reflects a spontaneous, observational approach typical of preparatory studies in modern Romanian drawing.
History & Provenance
Created in 1963, this sketch is part of a small group of studies by Nicorescu from that period. It was likely made during private sessions or as part of his ongoing exploration of portraiture. The signature and date confirm its origin, but its specific ownership history prior to public documentation remains unrecorded. It survives as a fragment of the artist’s private practice.
Context
In early 1960s Romania, artistic expression was constrained by state ideology, yet many artists pursued personal modes of representation in private. Nicorescu’s sketches, including this one, reflect a quiet resistance to official aesthetics through their emphasis on individuality and informal technique. His work aligns with broader European trends in expressive drawing, even amid political isolation.
Legacy
Nicorescu’s sketches, including this study, are now recognized for their sensitivity and technical restraint. They offer insight into his process and the quiet vitality of Romanian modernist drawing. Though not widely exhibited during his lifetime, these works have gained scholarly attention for their emotional clarity and economy of form, influencing later generations of Romanian artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Tiberiu Nicorescu made prints and paintings in mid-20th-century Romania. You’ll find his print *Îmbrățișare*—a tender embrace captured in black lines—and the delicate waiting scene in *În așteptare*. His painting…
Museum
Gavrila Simion Eco-Museum Research Institute Tulcea
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