Lemnul lui Hristos 1997

Constantin Flondor created “Lemnul lui Hristos” using delicate washes of colour to depict plant forms. This evokes questions about the role of art in engaging with the socio-political context of Eastern Europe. The title, meaning "The Wood of Christ", suggests a symbolic connection between the natural world and religious themes prevalent in Romanian culture. The washes create a sense of fragility and impermanence, perhaps reflecting the precarious social and political environment in which Flondor worked. The botanical forms reference the rich artistic traditions of botanical illustration, subtly subverting the assumed objectivity of scientific representation. Further research into the artist's biography and the historical context of Romania during the 20th century can reveal more about the ways in which the artwork might respond to or critique the institutions of art and the broader social structures of its time. Ultimately, the meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.