Cap de ștrengar 1943

Octav Angheluta made this oil on canvas painting, titled "Cap de ștrengar," in 1943. Look at the texture of the paint and the way the brushstrokes build up the form of the boy's face and clothes. It's like Angheluta is sculpting with color, right? I can almost feel him building up the image, one stroke at a time, adjusting and refining until he captures the boy's thoughtful expression. I wonder what Angheluta was thinking as he layered these strokes. The muted palette creates a somber mood, but the small touches of red on the cheeks and shirt bring life to the painting. The quick strokes around the eyes— they give him such a gentle, inquisitive gaze. Painters are always talking to each other across time. Angheluta seems to be in dialogue with artists like Cezanne, who also built form through color. Painting is a constant conversation, and we’re all invited to participate.