Paintings At The Fortress' Gallery

As I mentioned in my previous post this week, for me, there's nothing more interesting, than an art exhibition held at an unusual place. So far I've been to churches, catacombs, bastions, open air exhibitions and so on. This one was held in one of the buildings belonging to the fortress. It looks like a usual building from outside, but the interior is different and makes it special.

The wooden floor ant the nice beam ceiling makes the whole exhibition more enjoyable.

The exhibition was called Schools, Collectors, Patrons and presented artworks Transylvanian fine art from the first half of the 20th century.

Andor Antal Fülöp - Antonia

The most interesting thing about this exhibition, besides the location was that the artworks were brought from the municipality's museum, which is a lovely one, but beside the fact that it's not free, you're not allowed to take photos either. This is an inconvenience for me, but I understand the decision as these are old paintings and need to be protected. Imagine finding them here and being allowed to take photos of them was like a Christmas present for me.

Another interesting thing about this exhibition is that a good part of the artworks belong the the city hall. I'm not sure how they are in the possession of these paintings as they are managing public funds and their scope is not collecting artworks. It's also a mystery where they are storing, keeping these artworks as these are not displayed in the offices. Maybe the museum is exhibiting them. In any case, for me this as a good occasion to enjoy them and take photos of them.

István Szopos - Carnival At The New York Hotel in Cluj

This painting is from 1928, which makes it 95 years old. Back in those days these types of parties were the most know way of having fun, but only for the wealthy ones. I had to look up if there ever was a New York Hotel in Cluj and turns out there was one, which is a well known, iconic building, renamed by the communists in 1960.

Anastase Demian - Harlequin - 1926

What is interesting here, besides the painting, is the frame. Back in those days they put a lot of emphasis on the frame too. Most of the frames from those days have a very decorated frame and most of them have the color of gold. Those were the standards those days.

Andor Antal Fülöp - My Sister - 1939

This painting reminded me of the 20's, maybe 30's, without knowing when it was painted. I was judging by the lady's style and was not wrong. I liked it a lot as it made me think of how these ladies got to spend their day. I'm not sure if I could live like that, but would be nice to try it for a day or two.

Andor Antal Fülöp - Cluj, View From The German's Bridge - 1929

I love this!!! Those houses, the colors and the texture of the painting is fantastic. I would have taken it home with me, but ... it wasn't for sale. But even if it wasn't I could not pay for it, I'm sure of that.

Tasso Marchini - Poplars On The Seaside, Balchik - 1935

Pericle Capidan - Little Macedonian Girl

This painting has no date about when it was painted, but based on style, I place it somewhere around the 20's, maybe 30's. Again, please note the frame. You don't see these frames used these days.

Eugen Gâscă - Bridge In Tarnaveni - 1933

This one was a bit of a shock, for the rough style. I mean usually painters are illustrating whatever they are painting in a fine matter, but not in this case. Then I looked at the title and realized I may have walked on this bridge as I know where it is.