Artwork
Autoportret cu natură moartă
Autoportret cu natură moartă is an unspecified painting by Alexandru Szolnay. It dates from 1943 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Art of Romania.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1943 by Romanian artist Alexandru Szolnay, this oil painting presents a self‑portrait combined with a still‑life arrangement. The composition centers on a figure in a dark hat and a light pink‑collared shirt, gazing to the side, while a table holds a vivid fruit bowl and a colorful vase of flowers against a plain, subtly patterned backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The work juxtaposes the artist’s own likeness with everyday objects, suggesting a dialogue between personal identity and material surroundings. The bright yellow and red fruit, alongside the multicoloured floral vase, may allude to vitality and transience, contrasting with the subdued, contemplative pose of the sitter.
Technique & Style
Szolnay employs a pronounced impasto technique, applying thick, textured brushstrokes that render the surface tactile. The palette is dominated by saturated hues for the still‑life elements, while the lighting remains straightforward, highlighting the face and objects without dramatic chiaroscuro, thereby emphasizing form over atmospheric depth.
History & Provenance
The painting was executed during World War II, a period that limited artistic production in Romania. It entered public collections in the decades following its creation, though specific acquisition details remain sparse, reflecting the modest documentation typical of works produced in wartime conditions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Romanian painter Alexandru Szolnay worked in the 1940s, leaving behind still lifes and self-portraits that feel quiet and deliberate.
