Nude Sleeping 

Gheorghe Petrascu painted this nude using traditional oil paints, a medium that has served artists for centuries. What's striking is the way he lets the materiality of the paint influence the final image. You can see the brushstrokes layering up to create the textures of skin, fabric, and shadow. It's clear that Petrascu wasn't aiming for a smooth, idealized surface. Instead, he embraced the inherent qualities of his materials: the viscosity of the paint, its ability to reflect light, and the way it can be manipulated to build form. Oil paint, while seemingly straightforward, is a product of complex industry, involving the extraction of pigments, refining of oils, and production of brushes. The availability of these materials reflects the rise of a certain kind of consumer culture, even back then. Ultimately, the meaning of this painting isn't just in its subject, but in the way Petrascu engaged with his materials. He wasn't just depicting a nude; he was exploring the possibilities of paint itself, challenging us to see the beauty in the process of making.