Artwork
Curse de cai în Dobrogea (Scenă de gen în peisaj)
Curse de cai în Dobrogea (Scenă de gen în peisaj) is an unspecified painting by the Social Realist artist Iosif Iser. It dates from 1949 and is held in the collection of the Gavrilă Simion Eco-Museum Research Institute Tulcea - Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1949 by Romanian painter Iosif Iser, this work depicts a communal gathering in a rural setting of Dobrogea. The composition centers on a figure seated on a raised platform, surrounded by onlookers in vivid, patchwork clothing. A flat horizon with modest structures and distant hills forms the backdrop, while the overall palette remains subdued.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a local ritual or celebration, likely a horse‑related festivity, as suggested by the title. The central figure, clothed in a bright yellow robe and blue trousers, holds a small object, perhaps a ceremonial token. The surrounding crowd, turned away from the viewer, emphasizes communal participation and the collective focus on the event.
Technique & Style
Iser employs a pronounced impasto, applying thick layers of paint that create a tactile surface and accentuate the texture of clothing and terrain. Visible brushstrokes lend a rugged quality, while the muted background contrasts with the saturated hues of the participants, reinforcing the distinction between foreground activity and distant landscape.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it remains on display. Its dating to the late 1940s places it within Iser’s post‑war period, a time when he turned increasingly toward genre scenes that document everyday life in Romania’s southern regions.
Artist & collection
Museum
Gavrilă Simion Eco-Museum Research Institute Tulcea - Art Museum
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