Field Rest 1954

Corneliu Baba made this family portrait with visible brushstrokes in muted shades of red, brown, and black. I wonder what it was like for him to make this painting? I see how Baba has arranged the figures; a woman sits front and center with a striking face, while the other figures are arranged around her, blending into the shadowy background. The paint is applied with thick, visible brushstrokes, giving it a rough, textured feel. Notice how the red of the woman's shirt seems to vibrate against the dark background. It’s like a cry, or maybe a whisper. There’s something about the weight and density of the paint that gives the scene a certain seriousness. Painters are always looking at other painters; I wonder if Baba was looking at Courbet or Millet when he made this painting. The history of painting is a long conversation, with artists building upon and responding to those who came before them. Painting is a form of embodied expression, allowing for ambiguity, and inviting multiple interpretations.