21. Christ

Guided by the teachers from Romanian art school, Cornea Medrea studied at the beginning of the last century, at the School of Decorative Arts in Budapest. After graduation, Medrea undertakes study trips to major European capitals. This itinerary will ease the contact with fundamental sculptural works of universal art. His return to the country coincides with the moment of his affirmation as a sculptor in the meadows of Brasov, Sibiu or Alba County. In 1914, he settles in Bucharest where he will debut on the Romanian art scene with a bust dedicated to George Coșbuc. He participates in the "Artistic Youth" and "Official Salon" exhibitions and becomes founding member of the "Romanian Art" group. Medrea will remain faithful to the established genres of European sculpture: the portrait or the nude. In his work, he will make many references to ancient art and draw inspiration from the organic nature of reality. He brings a romantic touch to his sculptures, manifested above all by the care for rendering forms. He stands out for the dense materiality of the works he creates and for putting the human being at their centre. His creation is not subject to academic manners or to details true to reality. He works with vast volumes to which he attributes a restrained gesture. Walter Cisek placed Corneliu Medrea in a place of honour alongside Brâncuși, especially in the science of rendering the plasticity of bodies. Medrea works in series and frames his works in specific themes, upon which he reflects at length. In the cycle inspired by religious motifs, the present work is also included, whose topic refers to the theme of the passions. This theme will be highlighted by the artist through a spiritual approach to human suffering. Through the expressive force of crucifixion, which evolves from pain to the divine plan of miraculous liberation and resurrection, Medrea models the body in a way that is meant to depict the suffering of an entire world.

References

DEAC, Mircea, "50 de ani de sculptură" ("50 years of sculpture"), Bucharest, 2000. "Dicționarul Sculptorilor din România. Secolele XIX-XX" ("Dictionary of Romanian Sculptors. 19th-20th centuries"), Vol. II, letrs. H-Z, Romanian Academy Publishing House, Bucharest, 2012.

Dimensions

depth 11 cm, width 63 cm, height 115 cm

Description

plaster

PROVENANCE

the collection of Dr. Valeriu Tempea.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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