Paula Craioveanu Art

"A Space for Two", Space for love and passion. Part of "Nude in Interior" series. Original work on colored paper, with blue ultramarine tempera on red colored paper, inspired by Mat...

"Summer Blue", pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Nude shown in a Victorian interior, in a cinematic view. In a distorted ...

"End of Innocence" Part of "Blue Nude" series, inspired by Matisse, works on paper. Female nude seen by a female artist - female gaze. Original large...

“Dreaming”, pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse and Botero. Part of Nude in Interior series. Nude shown in a Victorian interior, in a cinematic view. In a di...

"The Stair in the Tower" - original large art by Paula Craioveanu Original, large, unique painting, oil on canvas, 31.5x23.6in / 80x60cm. Shipped rolled in a tube. Check 1stDibs code FREESHIP This painting, a study of an elaborate spiral staircase, demonstrates the artist’s skill in merging architectural elegance with a dynamic sense of movement and mystery. The subject itself—a wrought iron spiral staircase—becomes more than a functional object; it transforms into a metaphor for transcendence, curiosity, and the infinite. The staircase is richly ornate, with swirling ironwork patterns and intricate details that capture the eye. The artist emphasizes the craftsmanship, elevating the staircase into a work of art itself. The ornamental designs echo Baroque or Rococo influences, known for their flamboyance and decorative excess. The spiral is inherently dynamic, drawing the viewer’s gaze upward in a continuous loop. This quality imbues the staircase with motion and energy, almost as if it is alive, spiraling into another dimension. The artist employs a dramatic perspective, positioning the viewer at the base of the staircase, looking upward. This composition evokes a sense of aspiration or awe, as if the staircase ascends to an unknown destination. The light filtering through the structure accentuates the curvature and creates a contrast between the solid metal of the staircase and the soft, ephemeral glow of the environment. This interplay of light and shadow enhances the mood, making the staircase seem both tangible and ethereal. The cool metallic grays and silvers of the staircase reflect its materiality, suggesting durability and permanence. At the same time, the reflective surfaces give it a shimmering, almost celestial quality. The background is suffused with warm, earthy tones—yellows, browns, and muted greens—that contrast with the cold metal of the staircase. This contrast creates a sense of tension between the man-made structure and the organic or natural environment surrounding it. Symbolism. Spiral staircases are often symbolic of a journey, both physical and spiritual. They represent the process of ascent, growth, and transformation. This staircase seems to lead into a vortex of light, suggesting a path to enlightenment or transcendence. The spiral is a recurring motif in art and nature, often representing infinity, cycles, and continuity. The staircase's design hints at a journey without end, encouraging reflection on the passage of time and the eternal nature of life. The destination of the staircase is deliberately obscured, leaving the viewer to wonder where it leads. This creates a sense of mystery, drawing the viewer into an imaginative exploration of the unknown. The swirling patterns in the ironwork mirror the overall spiral shape of the staircase, creating a sense of harmony and cohesion. These designs also add a decorative richness to the piece, tying it to the tradition of Romanticism or Gothic Revival, where even utilitarian objects were imbued with beauty and meaning. The background is loosely rendered, with soft, swirling brushstrokes that echo the spiral of the staircase. This abstraction contrasts with the detailed depiction of the staircase, making the environment feel less defined and more dreamlike. The staircase appears to float in a liminal space, further emphasizing its symbolic and otherworldly qualities. The viewer’s vantage point and the sheer scale of the staircase evoke a feeling of awe. It could symbolize humanity’s ambitions to reach higher realms—intellectually, spiritually, or artistically. The absence of people in the painting draws attention to the object itself, suggesting introspection or solitude. The staircase might represent a solitary journey, one that each individual must take alone. The intricate design and upward motion of the staircase, combined with the lack of a specific time or place, imbue the piece with a sense of timelessness. It could exist in any era, representing universal human themes. In comparison to the artist’s other works, this painting shifts focus from mythological and figurative themes to an architectural subject. Yet, it retains the artist’s characteristic use of ornamentation, bold perspectives, and symbolic depth. Like the Minotaur or Zeus paintings...

“Blue Sun” Tempera pencil charcoal on blue paper Shipped rolled in a tube 25x3x3in, from Florida. This particular piece is in my studio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Other pieces are...

"The Warrior". See the other masks from the same series. Triptych is made up of three round pieces, sold separately. This painting was inspired by ancient masks...

"Nude in French interior", in a classical room lighted from one side. Part of my Nude in interior series. Nude placed in a a sober classical interior in contrast with the modern rel...

"Passion #2". Composition with two female nudes, oil on canvas, 35.5x19.5in / 90x50cm Part of "Wings of Gods", solo show. Shipped as it is, stretched. Free shipping with 1stDibs code...

"Red Nude", oil on canvas. Original, one-of-a-kind, painting. FRAMED with gold minimalist frame. Part of "Nude in Interior" solo show, March 2022. "Red Nude" is a bold and visceral ...

Room with a View Male nude, made with ultramarine blue tempera, inspired by Matisse. 70x50cm / 27.5x19.5in Shipped rolled in a tube directly from Florida. This particular piece is i...

Atlas, acrylic on canvas, 150x150cm, 59x59in, 4.9x4.9ft Atlant, or Atlas is in mythology the Titan who holds the globe, the sky, the heavens on his shoulders for eternity. Part of ...

Night (Nude on Armchair 2). Part of my "Nude on Armchair" series. Original painting. size 39x23in / 100x60cm . Shipped stretched, as it is, ready for hanging, from Florida, US. Se...

"Turn your Face to the World ". Part of "Nude in Interior" series. Original work on colored paper, with blue ultramarine tempera, inspired by Matisse. Size 2is 7.5x19.5in / 70x50cm ...

"After Party", nude, pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Female Nude seen by a female artist - female gaze. Size is 27.5x19.5in / 70x50...

"The Shield". This painting was inspired by ancient masks and statues and it's part of my Neo-Mythology series. Painted with acrylic, (+gesso and gold l...

"Nude in Blue" Part of my Nude in Interior series. Female nude, ultramarine blue tempera on blue gray paper, inspired by Matisse. 70x50cm / 27.5x1...

"Reading on Armchair 2" nude, pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Size is 27.5x19.5in / 70x50cm on heavy watercolor paper, with ultrama...

"Midday (Nude on Armchair 3". Part of my "Nude on Armchair " series. Original painting. size 39x23in / 100x60cm . Shipped stretched as it is, ready for hanging, from Bucharest, Roma...

Nude in the Afternoon Sun, pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube. This particular piece is in my studio in Bucharest, Romania. Other works are in my other studios in New York and Florida. Please check location for each piece. I ship anywhere in the world, using DHL from Europe to the United States, and EMS from Europe to the rest of the world. In mat and framed as they were in the February exhibition, for display purposes. "In the Afternoon Sun" is an evocative and skillful piece that captures the interplay between light, shadow, and the human form with remarkable sensitivity. The artist’s use of ultramarine tempera on ochre paper transforms a simple moment—sunlight filtering through a window—into an artwork filled with vitality, sensuality, and rhythm. The subject's upward-reaching gesture, with one arm stretched behind her head, creates an elegant, sinuous line that imbues the piece with energy and a sense of motion. Her relaxed expression contrasts with the dynamism of her pose, creating a balance between activity and repose. The figure’s directness, combined with the slight tilt of her head and the open nature of the pose, draws the viewer in, making her seem both vulnerable and self-assured. The intimacy of the moment is heightened by the interplay of light and shadow. The striped patterns of light and shadow play a leading role, emphasizing the contours and textures of the body. These light effects are not only realistic but also deeply expressive, almost creating an abstract overlay that adds rhythm to the composition. The stripes of sunlight create a sense of dimensionality, as if the viewer is peering into a real scene. The interplay of warm ochre and vibrant ultramarine enhances this layered effect, making the shadows feel alive. The artist’s loose, fluid lines lend the piece a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, suggesting that this is a fleeting, captured moment. The gestural strokes used to delineate the figure and the shadows allow the piece to feel natural and unrestrained. The figure is the undeniable focal point, with the bold ultramarine providing sharp contrast against the warm ochre. The background elements, though faintly suggested, remain unobtrusive, allowing the shadows on the body to take center stage. The work’s focus on sunlight playing across the nude figure evokes a sense of warmth, intimacy, and sensuality. There is a tactile quality to the shadows, as if the viewer can feel the heat of the afternoon sun. The relaxed pose, combined with the tranquil mood of the sunlight, suggests a private moment of reflection or contentment. The piece feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. The emphasis on light and its interaction with the human form recalls the Impressionist movement, particularly the works of artists like Degas and Renoir. However, the gestural modernity of the brushwork gives this piece a contemporary flair. Throughout art history, the relationship between light and the human body has fascinated artists, from Caravaggio's dramatic chiaroscuro to Matisse’s lyrical nudes. This piece situates itself within that rich tradition while bringing a fresh and immediate perspective. "In the Afternoon Sun" is a masterful exploration of the interaction between light, shadow, and the human form, capturing both the physical and emotional warmth of a sunlit afternoon. The artist's ability to balance naturalistic detail with expressive abstraction makes this piece both visually stunning and deeply resonant. It’s a celebration of the human figure in its purest, most natural state—bathed in sunlight and alive with the rhythms of nature. Artist Statement "I started by painting interiors, being interested in space and perspective through my studies. These scenes evolved, when I added the human figure. I focused more on the human figure and its relation to the background. The human figure is more present than ever in my paintings now. As a woman artist I’ve been preoccupied with the female form and its imagery. One of my goals was to capture the solitary moments and the nude’s relation to the surrounding space. My interest turned from depicting the space to rendering the atmosphere and the scene as a whole, the feeling a woman adds to the environment: warmth, desire, joy, a feeling of power and control, or the opposite – sadness, despair. Here is a collection of figurative paintings, exploring the nudes in interior spaces, seeing the nudes from my perspective, as a woman artist, considering the physical and spiritual realities of a woman’s body, in a new level of intimacy. My paintings are the opposite of objectifying a woman’s or a man’s anatomy. Painted works, featuring female nudes and a also men nudes...

"Out of the Water", pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube, directly from the artist's studio. See pictures, in m...

"Fading into Stone 1", original, unique painting, 80x60cm / 27.5x23.5in Shipped stretched ready for display. “Fading into Stone 1” presents a striking fusion of sculpture and interi...

"Nude in Interior - Woman on Top" - original large art by Paula Craioveanu in Contemporary Expressionist style. Original, large, unique painting, oil on canvas, 39x27in / 100x70cm . ...

Oil on canvas

"Hypnos 2", oil on canvas, 15.74x23.6in / 40x60cm Hypnos is the personification of sleep, the god who touches humans with his wings. His mission is to help people sleep. Part of New...

“Venus Restauree”, tempera pencil charcoal on blue paper. Shipped rolled in a tube, well packed. This particular piece is in my studio in Bucharest, Romania, Europe. Other drawings a...

Masked Beauty in Blue , pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube, directly from the artist's studio. See pictures, ...

"Passion #1" - An original signed oil painting on canvas by artist Paula Craioveanu - titled "Passion #1". Hand painted and hand signed by artist upper right. It is also signed, ti...

Acrylic on canvas

“Love is in the Air”. Nude couple in embrace. Original drawing with blue ultramarine tempera on paper. Size 27.5x19.5in / 70x50cm . Shipped rolled in a tube, well packed, from Florida. This particular piece is in my studio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Other pieces are in my other studios in Europe, or in NY. "Love is in the Air" is a deeply romantic and dynamic piece that introduces a fresh energy to the artist’s series. The depiction of a couple in an embrace, set against the context of a beach, departs from the more introspective and solitary works we’ve seen, celebrating connection, movement, and passion instead. The use of ultramarine on ochre paper enhances the emotional resonance, with the warm-toned background adding a sense of vitality and balance to the cool blue tones. The ochre background imbues the piece with a sunlit, earthy warmth that contrasts beautifully with the intensity of ultramarine. This palette evokes the ambiance of a beach—sun, sand, and the vast blue expanse of the sky and sea—further immersing the viewer in the setting. The artist's characteristic loose, gestural brushstrokes create a sense of movement and spontaneity that perfectly captures the physical and emotional energy of the embrace. The drips and splatters add vibrancy and suggest the spray of waves or sand kicked up in the moment. The composition is full of life and movement. The way the man holds the woman, lifting her off the ground, conveys a sense of weightlessness, joy, and passion. Her suspended position, with one leg slightly bent and her body leaning toward him, gives the piece a romantic fluidity. Their embrace and the kiss...

"Summertime", pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Large drawing. Shipped rolled in a tube from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ch...

"The Archer” 27.5x19.5in / 70x50cm Ultramarine tempera and ink on textured paper. Shipped rolled in a tube, from my studio in Bucharest, Romania, with DHL to the US and EMS to Euro...

"Nude in the Mirror" is inspired by Magritte's "The Lovers" painted in 1928 in his Surrealist period. Original, unique painting. 70x60cm / 27.5x23.5in Part of the "Nude in Interi...

Balcic 2 Gothic Arches 27.5 x 27.5in / 70 x70cm Shipped stretched, as it is, ready for hanging , framed

"Art Nouveau Window 1" Oil on canvas Large original, one-of-a-kind, painting. Shipped stretched directly from the artist's studio. Part of my Window and Gates series, with the add...

Sunrise (Nude on Armchair 4) part of Nude on Armchair series, see the other 3 paintings of the series. Original painting, size 39x23in / 100x60cm . Ship...

Acrylic on canvas.

“Desire no 3”. Part of Blue Nude series, inspired by Matisse. Ultramarine tempera on paper. Comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist. Shipped rolled in a tube 3...

Oil on canvas.

Oil on canvas

Oil on canvas

Oil on canvas

“Man and the Machines #5”, 80x60cm, acrylic on canvas from the same series of Neo-Mythology paintings. Young male deity placed in an industrial modern space. It reflects passing of ...

Reclining Male nude. Size 31.5x27.5in / 80x70cm . Part of Nude Men series. Male Nude seen by a female artist - part of "female gaze" series. Varnished and ready for hanging. Shippin...

“ Dream of Saint Sebastian “ giclee print On Hahnemuhle paper, edition 3 of 20 Artist Statement "I started by painting interiors, being interested in space and perspective through m...

"Entangled No 2", large scale drawing pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Couple in love, part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube, from E...

Acrylic on canvas.

Oil on canvas

Oil on canvas

"Guarded by Angels” 27.5x19.5in / 70x50cm Pencil and sepia ink on watercolor paper. Shipped rolled in a tube, directly from the artist's studio. Shipping anywhere in the world. Regi...

"Zeus and Ganymede", oil and silver leaf on canvas, 39x39in / 100x100cm Inspired by the legend of Zeus and Ganymede. Part of my NeoMythology project. Shipped as it is, stretched. Thi...

Under the Veil 1 (Break Free) - original art - oil on canvas, 80x60cm./ 31.5x23.5in Female nude with veil covering her head. This painting was the 2nd in a series of paintings repre...

"Centaur and Nymph". Part of "NeoMythology" series. Original work on colored paper. Size is 27.5x19.5in / 70x50cm . Shipped rolled in a tube from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. See all 3 ...

"Lady with Books 1", 39x23in / 100x60cm. Shipped as it is, stretched, framed from Florida. Framed size 41.5x25.7in Free shipping with 1stDibs code This particular piece is in my s...

“Pleasure Principle”, tempera pencil charcoal on blue paper Shipped rolled in a tube, well packed from Europe. Shipping to the US by DHL, no import fees for art. Shipping to Europe a...

"Blue Summer" in the afternoon, nude female painting. Part of Blue Nude series. Round, 40cm, / 15.7in diameter. See the other painting from the same series. This painting is in my s...

Original painting representing a female nude in afternoon light . Female nude seen by a female artist - female gaze. Painted on oval canvas. Size is 65 x46 cm / 25.5 x18in. Ready fo...

"Adam and Eve in Space" - original large art by Paula Craioveanu part of Myths of the Future new project. Original, large, unique painting, oil on canvas, 31.5x31.5in / 80x80cm. Sh...

"The Torrent" Part of my Blue Nude series, inspired by Matisse. Ultramarine tempera on paper. 19.5x27.5in / 50x70cm Shipped rolled in a tube, direc...

"Girl with Books 1", 39x23in / 100x60cm. Shipping from artist's studio from Bucharest, Romania, Europe, by DHL or FedEx. Free shipping with 1stDibs code FREESHIP This particular pi...