133. Harlequin [1982]

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133. Harlequin [1982]

Corneliu Baba

1906, Craiova - 1997, Bucureşti

Estimate:

EUR 8.000 - 12.000

References

ȘUȘARĂ, Pavel, “Corneliu Baba. An Eastern Painter?“, Official Gazette, Bucharest, 2013 MUSCALU-ALBANI, Maria, “Confessions and Diaries, Volume II: 1965-1977”, Official Gazette, Bucharest, 2020

oil on canvas glued to cardboard, 66 x 38 cm, signed and dated bottom right, in black, "Baba, (19)82"

Notes

on the back, signed, titled, and dated in black, "Corneliu Baba, Study for a Harlequin, 1982"

Corneliu Baba repeatedly stated that his preference was to paint people. For the artist, the portrait, with its etched features and the specific predilection to reveal the hidden characteristics of the soul, is a summit that demands introspection and diligent research to authentically convey human sensitivity. Often grave or fearful, Corneliu Baba's portraits are unmistakable. The presence of the people painted by Baba transcends the canvas or any rudimentary observation mechanism, prompting the viewer to dream and to detach themselves from their own theories. The impressive series of Harlequins, derived from portraiture, is a profound meditation on the human condition. A favored subject for artists like Picasso or Cezanne, the harlequin has been omnipresent in art, creating favorable circumstances for exploring human splits. For master Corneliu Baba, during the 1970s-1980s, the harlequin became an opportunity for endless chromatic experiments. Thus, in the series dedicated to harlequins, we can observe the artist's preference for dark backgrounds, contrasting with dramatic color accents. The work at hand, titled "Harlequin," shows Corneliu Baba's interest in the absolute model of human ambiguity. The harlequin is known for existing at the

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SESSION

Tue, 20 October 2026, 19:00

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Artmark Institute of Art Management

Autumn Auction #664/2026

133. Harlequin [1982]

133. Harlequin [1982]

Corneliu Baba

References

Notes

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