The Column 1997

Horia Bernea made this painting, The Column, at some point in his career, probably using watercolour on paper. It’s a world of soft edges and blended colours, but the geometric forms give it structure. The column itself is like a spine, holding the whole composition upright. Look at how the paint is applied so thinly in some areas, almost like a stain, and then built up in thicker layers elsewhere, especially in those white squares that seem to float on the surface. There’s something about the texture that reminds me of folk art or even Byzantine mosaics. The colours are earthy and muted, but then you get these pops of bright white that really make the whole thing sing. It's like a whisper of something ancient, filtered through a very modern sensibility. I think of Paul Klee, who also looked to childlike forms and primitive art for inspiration. It is an invitation to slow down, to look closely, and to find beauty in the unexpected.