Who painted Autoportret cu beretă?

Autoportret cu beretă was painted by Nicolae Grigorescu in 1900.

Where can I see Autoportret cu beretă?

Autoportret cu beretă is held by National Museum of Art of Romania.

What movement is Autoportret cu beretă?

Autoportret cu beretă is associated with Romanesque.

Artwork

Autoportret cu beretă

Nicolae Grigorescu , 1900

Autoportret cu beretă is an unspecified painting by the Romanesque artist Nicolae Grigorescu. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Art of Romania.

About this work

Overview

Nicolae Grigorescu’s self‑portrait, titled Autoportret cu beretă, was executed in 1900. The canvas presents the artist in a dark, wide‑brimmed hat, his face illuminated from one side. The composition is dominated by a stark contrast of light and shadow, which isolates the facial features against a muted background.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts Grigorescu himself, emphasizing the introspective quality of a self‑portrait. The side lighting highlights one cheek with a warm glow while the opposite side recedes into shadow, suggesting a contemplation of identity through the interplay of visibility and concealment.

Technique & Style

Grigorescu employs a vigorous, impasto brushwork that leaves the texture of the paint evident, particularly on the hat and collar. The thick strokes convey immediacy, while the chiaroscuro effect, strong contrasts of light and dark, reinforces the three‑dimensionality of the figure.

History & Provenance

Created at the turn of the twentieth century, the portrait belongs to the later period of Grigorescu’s career, when he increasingly explored rapid execution and expressive surface treatment. The painting has remained within Romanian collections, reflecting its role in documenting the artist’s self‑representation during this phase.

Autoportret cu beretă roșie, Gheorghe Petrașcu

Artist & collection

Artist

Nicolae Grigorescu

Nicolae Grigorescu was one of the founders of modern Romanian painting. He is considered by Romanians the greatest Romanian painter, and one of the founders of modern Romanian art. He is most known for paintings…