68. Lilies [1903]

It is said that the artist's ancestors lived in Artachi - a port in the Artachi Bay, from the Sea of Marmara. His parents wanted to prepare him to work in the field of commerce, so young Artachino would attend the School of Commerce, but his path would be completely different. He discovered his drawing skills at the school on Foișor street. He would later study with Theodor Aman and become one of his best students, even winning medals at end-of-year contests. During his time in Paris, while still a student at the Julian Art Academy, Constantin Artachino developed a close friendship with the painter Ștefan Luchian. Once back in the country, the two founded several Romanian artistic societies, among which we mention the "Independent Salon" or "Ileana", with the purpose of promoting independent Romanian artists. For the establishment of the "Ileana" society, they enjoyed the support of Alexandru Bogdan-Pitești, who provided the artists with his own house. Artachino would be a teacher in the Schools of Fine Arts in Iași and Bucharest. A methodical nature, he masterfully combined all the activities that complete his professional path. Harmony also characterizes his artistic creation and extends into the decoration of his workspace. In the salon where he creates, Western influences meet the Oriental ones in a refined selection of decorative items. The sign under which his whole existence stood can be deciphered as rigour. He dedicated real vegetable portraits to the flowers he painted, focusing the viewer's attention on the central element through the use of contrasting colours, in which the background gradually fades away. In floral panels, he demonstrates his artistic talents and his great inclination towards stylization and interpretation. Lilies, sunflowers or roses are often depicted primarily in a decorative manner. In Artachino's work, the flower becomes a leitmotif, and whether he dedicates standalone canvases to the plant motif, or if he includes the flower as an adjuvant and decorative element, its symbolism remains just as strong.

References

"Constantin Artachino (1870-1954)", National Museum of Art of Romania, Bucharest, 2004.

Dimensions

width 85 cm, height 70 cm

Description

oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, in black, "C. Artachino, 1903"

Research information

The artwork participated in the exhibition "Constantin Artachino", Art Safari Love Edition, June 30 - September 10, 2023.

Dating

1903

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