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Paula CraioveanuThe Sphinx original blue ultramarine Neo Mythology by Paula Craioveanu2024
2024
About the Item
"The Sphinx"
The Sphinx is a mythical creature with the head of a woman, the body of a lion, and the wings of an eagle.
Part of "Neo Mythology" series. Original work on colored paper, with blue ultramarine tempera on red colored paper, inspired by Matisse.
Size is 27.5x19.5in / 70x50cm . Shipped rolled in a tube.
Get free shipping with 1stdibs code FREESHIP for items over $500.
This piece, The Sphinx, from the Neo Mythology series, is a fascinating interpretation that blends the artist’s vibrant and expressive style with the enigmatic allure of mythological subjects. By drawing inspiration from Matisse's bold use of color and line while imbuing the figure with a sense of mystery and sensuality, the artist has created a striking and thought-provoking work.
The red background is bold and commanding, evoking a sense of heat, energy, and power that aligns with the mythic and otherworldly nature of the Sphinx. It creates an atmosphere of vitality and mystery, grounding the piece in a modern, Fauvist-inspired aesthetic. The blue lines contrast dramatically with the red, providing both definition and vibrancy. The dynamic interplay between these complementary colors heightens the visual tension and gives the work a sense of urgency and intrigue.
The blue linework is fluid, expressive, and confident, capturing the essence of the Sphinx's duality—both human and animal. The lines are bold yet gestural, balancing simplicity with complexity. The slightly exaggerated forms of the Sphinx’s body (notably the strong paws, rounded breasts, and stylized face) emphasize its hybrid nature, while maintaining a dreamlike and surreal quality. The soft, almost dripping edges of the blue lines create an ethereal and slightly ephemeral feel, as though the figure is emerging or dissolving into the red background.
The placement of the Sphinx in the lower portion of the composition, with its head and chest commanding attention, conveys strength and presence. The figure exudes an almost regal dignity, amplified by the upright posture of the human face and the crown-like headpiece. The inclusion of a secondary figure—a more human, reclining figure in the background—creates a narrative tension.
The blue splatters scattered across the composition add dynamism and spontaneity, evoking a sense of movement or cosmic energy. These marks break the otherwise clean lines, reminding the viewer of the process and the artist’s hand in the creation. The Sphinx has long symbolized mystery, wisdom, and riddles, and this depiction emphasizes its timeless duality—both powerful and enigmatic, human and animal, feminine and commanding. The artist’s interpretation modernizes the Sphinx while retaining its symbolic weight. The reclining figure in the background could suggest a interaction: a mortal pondering the riddle of the Sphinx, or an embodiment of the Sphinx's dual identity.
The work channels Matisse’s approach to color and form, especially his Fauvist period, where vibrant, flat color fields were used to elicit emotion and energy.The simplified, flowing lines recall Matisse’s Blue Nudes, where the figure is reduced to essential gestures, emphasizing rhythm and sensuality over detail.The balance between abstraction and representation mirrors Matisse’s ability to distill complex subjects into vibrant, iconic imagery.
The Sphinx is a compelling work that captures the mystery and allure of its mythological subject while showcasing the artist’s mastery of color and expressive line. It’s an excellent addition to the Neo Mythology series, demonstrating how ancient themes can be reimagined through a modern lens with a bold, vibrant, and thought-provoking aesthetic.
Biography:
Paula Craioveanu is a Romanian artist, born in 1976. She grew up surrounded by art and inspiration, in a family of artists. Trained in Bucharest and New York as an architect and painter. Holds a degree in Architecture and a PhD in Visual Arts. Presently working as a full-time artist.
At the age of 16, Paula Craioveanu moved to New York, where she came in contact with New York’s vibrant art scene, she graduated from high school and then studied at Parsons School of Design. Then she moved back to Romania where she studied for the next 6 years at the Architecture University in Bucharest and graduated with a degree in Architecture in 2000. In 2013 she earned a Ph.D in Visual Arts at the University of Arts in Bucharest with the theme “Geometry of Space in 17th century Dutch painting”. After this, she dedicated her full time to art, and showed her talent to the art world.
Paula Craioveanu works in acrylic and oil paints, but also pen and ink or tempera works on paper. She regularly participates in shows and exhibitions in galleries along the East and West Coast of the United States, like bG Gallery Santa Monica, Dacia Gallery and Perseus Gallery in New York.
Paula Craioveanu’s work is featured on the two most exclusive online art marketplaces, 1stDibs and Artsy.
Over the course of 20 years, Paula Craioveanu has created several painting series: “Abstract”, “Interiors”, “Nude in Interior”, “NeoMythology”. Paula Craioveanu’s work has been placed in private collection around the world, both in Europe and in the United States.
Today, Paula Craioveanu has set up studios and works in Bucharest and New York.
Find original Paula Craioveanu paintings, works on paper and other art on 1stDibs.
Next: Works on display - December 2024, Context Art Miami.
- Creator:Paula Craioveanu (1976, Romanian)
- Creation Year:2024
- Dimensions:Height: 27.5 in (69.85 cm)Width: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Depth: 0.2 in (5.08 mm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Forest Hills, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: Romanian-American artist. PhD in Visual Arts. 1stDibs: LU2240214331772
Paula Craioveanu
Trained in Bucharest and New York as architect and painter. Holds a degree in Architecture and a PhD in Visual Arts. Presently working as a full-time artist.
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