Artwork
Desen numărul 20
Desen numărul 20 is a drawing by Ioan Petrovici. It dates from 1950 and is held in the collection of the Gavrila Simion Eco-Museum Research Institute Tulcea.
About this work
Overview
Desen numărul 20 is a monochrome drawing executed around 1950 by Romanian artist Ioan Petrovici. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of mid‑century graphic experimentation. Its composition consists of interlocking lines and shapes that suggest an urban environment without depicting any specific landmark.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents an abstracted cityscape, rendered through a network of geometric forms and linear gestures. By avoiding a single focal point, the drawing invites viewers to contemplate the rhythm of architectural space rather than a narrative scene, emphasizing the interplay of structure and void.
Technique & Style
Petrovici employed a loose, expressive hand, using bold strokes and gestural marks that generate a sense of movement across the paper. The exclusive black‑and‑white palette heightens contrast, while cross‑hatching and varied line weight create texture and depth within the abstracted forms.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1950, Desen numărul 20 entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date and has remained in the institution’s permanent collection. Its presence there reflects the museum’s broader interest in documenting Romanian visual culture of the post‑war period.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist made delicate drawings and prints in mid-20th-century Romania. Look for *Desen numărul 20* and *Desen numărul 29*—both quiet pencil sketches on paper—and the seasonal print *Toamna*, which shows autumn…
Museum
Gavrila Simion Eco-Museum Research Institute Tulcea
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