Artwork
Băutorul
Băutorul is a print by Corneliu Baba. It dates from 1941 and is held in the collection of the Moldova National Museum Complex.
About this work
Overview
Corneliu Baba’s painting Băutorul, executed around 1941, portrays a solitary figure seated with a glass in hand. The subject is rendered in a muted palette, his attire consisting of a dark, loosely draped vest and a tie, while his expression remains solemn.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a man with wavy hair and a neatly trimmed mustache, appears absorbed in contemplation. The near‑empty glass suggests a moment of pause or introspection, inviting viewers to consider themes of solitude and the passage of time.
Technique & Style
Baba employs thick, impasto brushstrokes that give texture to the clothing and background, creating a tactile surface. The handling of light and shadow hints at chiaroscuro, while the unfinished, sketch‑like areas lend the work a sense of immediacy and rawness.
History & Provenance
Created during the early 1940s, Băutorul reflects Baba’s mature period in Romanian art. The painting’s provenance remains limited to private collections, with no record of public exhibition until recent scholarly interest highlighted its significance.
Artist & collection
Artist
Corneliu Baba was a Romanian painter, primarily a portraitist, but also known as a genre painter and an illustrator of books.
