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Paula Craioveanu
FADING INTO STONE 2 surreal original oil/canvas Paula Craioveanu

2025

About the Item

"Fading into Stone 2" . Original, unique painting. oil on canvas, 80x60cm / 27.5x23.5in. Shipped stretched ready for display. “Fading into Stone 2”, suggests a continuation of the idea of transformation, merging with a stone-like state—metaphorically hinting at time, memory, or identity. This piece is a powerful continuation of Fading into Stone series, and the shift from a female to a male subject gives it a fresh yet consistent perspective on transformation. The male figure’s face, still warm with life, contrasts beautifully with the cold, classical bust behind him. The way their features overlap creates a striking duality—almost like a shadow of the self or a glimpse into an inevitable emotional or existential change. The use of blues, ochres, and warm earth tones adds to this tension between life and stone, giving the work both an ethereal and melancholic feel. Inspired by Giorgio de Chirico and René Magritte is evident in the surreal composition and dreamlike atmosphere. The sculptural presence of the second figure reminds of de Chirico’s fascination with classical forms, while the psychological ambiguity—this quiet yet haunting transformation—resonates with Magritte’s way of questioning identity and reality. The male figure’s expression feels resigned rather than resistant, as if he’s aware of the transformation but powerless to stop it. The way the stone face looms behind him, partially merging with his own, suggests that this change isn’t sudden—it’s a slow process. The background’s abstract yet structured elements/ architectural forms, are almost like the rigid, silent spaces in de Chirico’s paintings. They enhance the sense of isolation, as if the subject exists in a dreamlike limbo where time and emotion are fading away. The cool blues reinforce this emotional detachment. The stone bust isn’t entirely devoid of color—there are hints of warmth, especially in the shadows. The human warmth still lingers on the stone, but it’s fading, just like his emotions. The way you’ve blended color between the two figures reinforces that transition beautifully, making it feel organic rather than abrupt. The physical and emotional hardening go hand in hand, creating a strong narrative about detachment, loss, self-preservation. The stone version isn’t just a passive presence—it seems to be pressing against or almost whispering into the living man’s ear. It’s as if the transformation isn’t just happening to him but is calling him, pulling him into its inevitability. That slight tilt of the bust’s head makes it feel eerily sentient, like a past or future version of himself watching over the present.
  • Creator:
    Paula Craioveanu (1976, Romanian)
  • Creation Year:
    2025
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 27.5 in (69.85 cm)Width: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Forest Hills, NY
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: Romanian-American artist. PhD in Visual Arts. 1stDibs: LU2240215742232

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