Still Life with Peonies and Books 

Nicolae Darascu painted "Still Life with Peonies and Books" with oil on canvas in Romania, though its exact date is unknown. Darascu painted many still lifes throughout his career, after studying in Paris, and we can see the influences of French modernism in his bold brushstrokes. Still life painting, on the one hand, might seem removed from the world of social and political forces. However, the still life became incredibly popular in the late 19th and early 20th century, as the newly wealthy bourgeois classes sought ways of displaying their wealth through decorative objects. Darascu’s work differs from other still life paintings of his time, because of his use of bolder brushstrokes and a less polished style. His paintings critique the refined, traditional tastes of the upper classes. It is through understanding the social and institutional context that the politics of Darascu’s paintings become clear. Art historical scholarship provides insights into the social and institutional context that shaped the creation and reception of such artworks.