73. Procession [1996]

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73. Procession [1996]

Rumen Skorchev

1932, Targovishte - 2015, Sofia

Estimate:

EUR 800 - 1.500

Sold

EUR 1.800

oil on canvas, 63 x 51.5 cm, signed bottom right, in blue, "Р. Ск., 1996"

Research information

The work is monographed in the Autobiographical Album "Rumen Skorchev", Sofia, 2002.

Notes

signature and inscription on the back, in red, "R. Skortchev"

The painting "Procession" is emblematic of Rumen Skorchev's late work, both as a pictorial construction and as a theme. It is the beginning of a large cycle, which grew into the polyptych "Scaffold" (2003), consisting of 6 parts, in which the theme of the victim finds its natural development. It represents the moment when human life has already crossed the border of normal existence and is going to its demise. The human figure is anonymous and deconstructed. The "Scaffold" cycle is indicative of Rumen Skorchev's work because it shows his desire to achieve a monumental sound. From 1991 to 1993, Skorchev settled with his family in Vienna and started painting there. It gives him the freedom to unfold in the large format of the canvas. As in the graphics, here the creation process is technologically long, but it has the effect of being done in one breath. In his canvases, the form is expressive and monumental, and the colors are sonorous and dynamic. It is distinguished by consistently following a clear direction towards powerful and expressive painting. A hint of decorativeness can be seen in some works, perhaps as an influence from the illustration. Painting is the most communicative part of the artist's work, because it acts actively, grabs the attention and engages the interest of the viewer. It is not necessary to look at and read the details for a long time, as for the graphics, or to compare them with the literary text, as in illustration. Here the images are clear, the shapes are large, the color is intense and sonorous. Visual language is direct, it does not need translation and prior preparation to be understood. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why, in the recent decades, only the connoisseurs of his work will own paintings by the artist. In his late works, Skorchev himself prefers the painting technique, because it is not as time-consuming and heavy as the classical graphic techniques. About his way of working, the author says: "I admit that I work spontaneously, from the general to the particular case. If I start a portrait, I might finish it as a still life. My idea of the future composition is quite vague - up to some basic directions of the shapes in space. This is something too personal in my work and is probably the result of my hard-to-control sensitivity and explosiveness. That is why I believe in the indivisibility of sensual perception and the rational construction of the work, and I do not understand why we constantly strive to destroy this unity." (S.N.)" A conversation between Alexander Shurbanov and Rumen Skorchev. Literary Forum, 19 January 1999.

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