Summer at Balcic 

Nicolae Darascu captured this view with brushes, oil paints, and canvas. The materials are traditional, but the expressive handling brings them to life. The thick, visible brushstrokes give the artwork a tangible, almost sculptural quality. It feels like Darascu built this townscape with paint, layering colors and textures to create depth and atmosphere. The ochre hues of the rooftops contrast with the greens of the landscape, suggesting the baked earth of the Balcic region. Consider the labor involved in creating this piece. Darascu's direct engagement with the materials – mixing pigments, loading the brush, and applying each stroke – is evident. The painting embodies the artist’s physical and emotional connection to the scene, as well as the traditions of landscape painting to which he belonged. Paying attention to materials and processes helps us understand the social and cultural significance of this landscape, and enriches our understanding of Darascu's artistic vision, far beyond the finished product.