National Artist Nicolae Grigorescu enriched Romanian culture by turning the oxcart theme into a brand of Romanian art. Special works of art illustrating the artist’s favorite theme found their place in major museums of the country or in private collections. Over time, impressive masterpieces signed by the artist circulated in the Romanian and international art markets through famous auctions, eventually winning awards at record prices.

Considered by experts to be one of the most beautiful “Oxen Carriages” signed by Nicolae Grigorescu, “Oxen Carriages, Evening” will be auctioned next week as part of the “Autumn Auction – 100 Best Masters of Romanian Art” event. “, which will take place on Thursday, October 19. The masterpiece was created by Grigorescu in Campina, in the last years of his life, a period dedicated to deepening and actualizing the theme of the national landscape. This is the moment when the artist transfers all his artistic experience and the smoothest technique to the canvas. The work, put up for auction at a starting price of 40,000 euros, testifies to the technical perfection of his last creative period and the full lyrical suggestiveness of the national theme.

Nicolae Grigorescu introduced the idea of ​​”national specificity” into Romanian art, and works illustrating the “ox cart” theme were eventually awarded record sums. Let’s recall the 5 best works representing this theme awarded by Artmark in recent years for more than 100,000 euros: “Cârciumă la Rucăr” – 230,000 euros at the spring 2011 auction; “Return from the Fair” – 210,000 euros at the Romanian Impressionism and Post-Impressionism Auction 2011; Return from the Fair – €165,000 Christmas Auction – Art Lovers Gala from 2012; “Carriage with oxen in Oresh” – 165,000 euros at the Winter Auction 2011; “Bullcart” – €155.00 at the 2010 Impressionism and Post-Impressionism Auction.

Nicolae Grigorescu begins to explore the theme of rural life, in particular the “ox cart”, in Barbizon with the French masters Rousseau and Diaz. Back in Romania, Grigorescu deepens his interest in rural life and continues to express his appetite for outdoor painting, studying animals, especially horses, which are seen as workmates and burdens of the Romanian peasant. The theme of the “ox cart” is an authentic expression of his artistic vision, and the history of Romanian painting has devoted a large chapter to this theme, born from the brush of a great artist – from the technique, the brush and the artistic period when they were created, to the origin and historical routes traveled by the masterpieces that became heads of collections. The culmination was the recognition in the third decade of the XX, Nicolae Grigorescu as a national artist and creator of the modern Romanian school of painting.

Along with the work “Convoi de care cu boi, pe eserat”, which was kept in a private collection and has not yet been presented to the general public, Nicolae Grigorescu is also signing the work “On Campinica” at next week’s auction. » (starting price €30,000) and «Case la Câmpina» (starting price €25,000). In the “Autumn auction – Top 100 great masters of Romanian art”, the national artist is completed by the most famous Romanian artists of all time – Nicolae Tonica, Stefan Lukian, Teodor Aman, Teodor Palladi, Nicolae Vermont, Camil Ressu or Ion Teodorescu. – Zion. The Great Masters Exhibition is open in the Cesianu-Rakovice Palace and can be visited from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. “Autumn Auction – 100 Great Masters of Romanian Art” will be held on Thursday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the auction hall of the Cesianu-Rakovice Palace, as well as online on the Artmark Live platform, which transforms into an event dedicated to major art collectors.

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