Tough Winter 1938

Petre Abrudan made this painting, entitled Tough Winter, with oils, probably in his studio where he had time and space to rework the image as it came to him. Abrudan is working with blacks, whites, and greys, with just small amounts of contrasting colour, and building up a layered surface that is really a mix of tones to suggest three figures struggling against the weather in a snow-filled landscape. I can imagine him looking out the window, watching and trying to capture the essence of the scene. The artist must have known the feeling of trudging through the snow, head bowed against the wind. Perhaps the way he has applied the paint, in rough, textured strokes, is his way of conveying the harshness of the winter weather. What do you think? Anyway, artists, like these figures, are always on a journey, working together through time, supporting and inspiring one another!