Romanian 20th century painter Nicolae Tonitza’s work sold for more money than any other artist in 2022, according to an art site.
The late artist, who was inspired by post-impressionism and Expressionism, sold 40 works at auctions last year for a total of more than half a million euros, www.tudor-art.com reported.
Tonitza, one of the country’s best-known painters, was born in 1886 in and studied at the Iasi National School of Fine Arts in the Romanian province of Moldova and then at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts.
Nineteenth century impressionist artist Nicolae Grigorescu, who is regarded as the founding father of modern art in Romania, sold eight works in 2022 for a total of 470,000 euros.
Contemporary Romanian painter Stefan Câltia sold 58 works for 343,000 euros. The 80-year-old artist has exhibited in Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Denmark as well as his native Romania.
The previous year was more profitable for Romanian art.
Ion Ţuculescu, a 20th century expressionist and abstract oil painter was the best-selling artist. Twenty of his works sold for 777,000 euros at auction. Tonitza’s work sold for 617,000 euros followed by contemporary artist Adrian Ghenie, 45, whose works sold for 528,000 euros. Fourteen Grigorescu paintings sold for 490,000, while 29 works of art by Gheorghe Petraşcu raised 305,000 euros.
Ghenie, who was born in the northwest city of Baia Mare, lives and works in Berlin.
