City Lights 

Margareta Sterian created this watercolour painting of "City Lights," offering us a glimpse into urban life through her unique perspective. The artwork captures a bustling city square, rendered with loose brushstrokes and vibrant colours. Sterian, a Romanian artist who lived most of the 20th century, made this image in a country that experienced considerable political change, and here she seems to question the changing social fabric through her art. The choice of a public square is also important as it suggests that Sterian had a concern for the collective experience of people as well as their institutions and how they shape social life. To fully understand Sterian’s artistic vision, scholars research into the visual culture of Romania during the 20th century. By examining the historical context of the image, we can fully appreciate how artists respond to and comment on their societies.