Artwork
Sf. Nicolae
Sf. Nicolae is an unspecified painting by Savu Poienaru. It is held in the collection of the Alba Iulia Orthodox Archdiocese. The work, titled *Sf.
About this work
Overview
The work, titled *Sf. Nicolae*, depicts two solemn figures dressed in vivid red garments and crowned in gold. One figure grips an elaborately carved staff, while the other holds an inscribed book. Behind them lie modest structures capped with domes, set against a tarnished gold ground that has faded and cracked with age.
Subject & Meaning
The central characters are likely intended as saints or ecclesiastical authorities, suggested by their regal attire, crowns, and the symbolic objects they bear—a staff of office and a text, perhaps a gospel or liturgical manuscript. The presence of domed buildings may allude to a sacred space or a specific locale associated with the saints.
Technique & Style
Executed in a flat, heavily outlined manner, the painting employs a stiff, two‑dimensional composition reminiscent of medieval iconography. The palette is dominated by muted tones, with the red robes and gold background providing the only strong chromatic contrast. The surface shows extensive cracking, indicating considerable age and wear.
Context
Inscribed labels reading “CEHIL” and “ROME” appear above the scene, possibly referencing geographic or theological connections—perhaps linking the depicted saints to the ancient city of Rome or to a local tradition identified as Cehil. Such textual cues were common in devotional images intended for specific communities or patrons.
Legacy
The painting’s deteriorated condition and archaic visual language suggest it originates from an early period of religious art, likely produced for a church or private chapel. Its survival, despite the cracked gilding, offers insight into the material practices and iconographic conventions of its time, serving as a tangible record of devotional representation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Savu Poienaru left behind a small set of religious drawings and paintings from the early 1800s.
