Artwork
Soldat bolșevic
Soldat bolșevic is an unspecified painting by Costin Petrescu. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Romanian History.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1917 by Romanian artist Costin Petrescu (1872‑1954), *Soldat bolșevic* presents a solitary infantryman rendered in a stark, close‑up composition. The figure dominates the canvas, set against an indistinct background that isolates his uniform and expression, emphasizing the immediacy of the wartime subject.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a soldier clad in a dark green coat marked by a red star and a medal, his face set in a solemn, attentive gaze. The inclusion of the Bolshevik emblem reflects the turbulent political climate of the era, suggesting an engagement with the revolutionary currents that were reshaping Eastern Europe at the time.
Technique & Style
Petrescu employs a heavy impasto, applying thick layers of paint especially on the jacket and facial features. The textured brushwork creates a tactile surface that conveys the materiality of the uniform and the flesh beneath, lending the figure a palpable presence while the blurred backdrop remains subdued.
History & Provenance
The painting emerged during World War I, a period when Romania experienced both military conflict and internal political shifts. Though Petrescu later achieved broader recognition for large‑scale projects such as the frescoes of the Romanian Athenaeum, this early canvas remains a testament to his engagement with contemporary social themes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Costin Petrescu (May 10, 1872 – October 15, 1954) was a Romanian painter. Born in Pitești, he moved to Bucharest in 1892, attending the Fine Arts School for three years. He executed the monumental fresco in the Romanian…
