Artwork
Două surori
Două surori is an unspecified painting by the Romanesque artist Gheorghe Petrașcu. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Art of Romania.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1915 by Romanian artist Gheorghe Petrașcu (1872‑1949), *Două surori* presents a quiet interior scene of two women seated together. The composition is anchored by a dark, unadorned background that isolates the figures, emphasizing their proximity and the subtle interaction between them.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a pair of women positioned side by side; the figure on the right is clad in a light‑toned dress with a high collar, holding a small object, while the woman on the left leans forward in darker attire. Their faces are rendered indistinct, suggesting a focus on mood rather than individual identity, and inviting contemplation of sisterly or familial intimacy.
Technique & Style
Petrașcu employs a pronounced impasto, applying thick, textured brushstrokes that give the surface a tactile quality. The paint is laid on with a rough, almost sculptural hand, creating contrast between the dense, palpable forms of the women and the smoother, muted backdrop. This approach aligns the piece with the broader romanesque tendency toward expressive materiality.
History & Provenance
Although Petrașcu exhibited widely after his death, including at the Paris International Exhibition and the Venice Biennale, *Două surori* remained in private collections for much of the twentieth century. Its documented provenance traces back to the artist’s studio, passing through several Romanian collectors before entering a public museum collection in the early 2000s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gheorghe Petrașcu (Romanian pronunciation: ; 20 November 1872, Tecuci – 1 May 1949, Bucharest) was a Romanian painter.
