Village Inn During Winter 

Dumitru Ghiatza offers us a painting of a Village Inn during Winter. Born in Romania in 1888, Ghiatza lived through a period of immense social and political change, including World Wars and shifts in the Romanian monarchy. His work often portrays rural landscapes and peasant life, which he imbued with the values of simplicity and authenticity at a time when urbanisation was changing Romanian society. This painting invites us to consider the cultural and social importance of the village inn as a community hub, particularly during harsh winter months. There is an emotional contrast within the painting, as the blanket of snow evokes feelings of isolation and hardship. The inviting warmth of the building suggests a sense of communal resilience. This tension between the harshness of the environment and the warmth of community invites us to reflect on how social structures and spaces shape our experiences of identity.