Artiss

Francois Gall

Even if his first serious contact with painting was around the expressionist Aurel Popp, François Gall would become one of the representatives of the last wave of French impressionism. With initial studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, the painter chooses the path of Paris in 1936, enrolling at Belle Arte, where he will meet André Devambez, who will become his most important mentor. Intimist painter, who transcribes through lines and colors the entire warmth of the family space, Francisc Gall will often turn to his own children – Marie-Lize, Jean-François and Elisabeth-Anne, or to his wife, Eugenie, when he starts some a new work. He learns and appropriates equally the language of bodies and that of nature (of trees, flowers, sky or water) and chooses to illustrate themes such as women, nature or the city.

Michael Töpler

Mihail Töpler, the Austrian artist who spent 20 years in Moldova and Wallachia, left us an impressive artistic legacy, and the portrait of Smaranda Sturdza-Balș is a gem of his work. This accomplished work gives us a fascinating glimpse into the aristocratic world of the 19th century.

The portrait of Smaranda Sturdza-Balș masterfully illustrates the elegance and refinement of former times. Faithful to realism, Töpler captures with finesse and precision the features of the illustrious lady, reflecting her nobility and grandeur. Through careful use of color and detail, the artist succeeds in creating a vivid presence on the canvas, bringing to the fore the personality and social status of Mrs. Sturdza-Bals.

This remarkable work is not only a portrait, but also a window into the past, giving us an authentic picture of a fascinating period in history and an important figure in the Romanian society of the time.