Sunset Over Chioggia 1924

Stefan Popescu painted 'Sunset Over Chioggia' with oil on canvas, capturing a serene harbor scene bathed in the warm hues of a setting sun. The composition is dominated by the horizontal expanse of the water, reflecting the sky above, where soft yellows and oranges blend seamlessly. Popescu uses a series of vertical forms – masts of the ships – which punctuate the horizon, offering a counterpoint to the painting’s horizontal emphasis and a rhythmic structure. The brushwork is loose and expressive, typical of Impressionistic techniques, allowing the colors to mix optically and create a sense of movement and atmosphere. The surface texture is visibly worked, adding depth and vitality to the scene. What we see here is not merely a picturesque view, but a study in light and form, structured to evoke a mood of contemplative stillness, and to question the boundaries between representation and abstraction.