80. Constanta Harbor [1980]

Dimitrie Știubei will successfully divide his professional volitions remarkably between art and the navy. With studies in Bucharest, Munich and Paris, the artist will initially be a naval officer and royal aide-de-camp. He will have the opportunity to practice transcribing the marine landscape onto canvas directly from the sea, from the deck of the ship. Following his first solo exhibition, organised in 1922, he will be noticed by reputable personalities such as Petru Comarnescu, Alexandru Kirițescu or Jean Alexandru Steriadi. With impeccable execution, Știubei's marines have often been compared to those made by Aivazovsky. Titled as the "artist-commander", he will also be involved in the portrait sector and will transcribe famous faces such as those from the royal family. Although the paternal figure will guide him towards studying Architecture, D. Știubei will choose to present himself at the admission competition of the Artillery, Engineering and Navy School in Bucharest, where he will appear first on the admissions list. He graduates in 1921, as a punter, and in 1925 he will be given the rank of lieutenant. He will also be a commander in the Romanian Navy under King Ferdinand I and King Carol II, and he will arrive in Munich in 1929, his travel being facilitated by the proposal of the royal house. On his return he continues his naval career, but also dabbles in painting, fulfilling orders even for the Naval School in Constanța. Somewhat adopting the lessons of the Impressionists, he will set up a makeshift studio on the ship's deck from where he will paint his famous marine landscapes. In 1932, he will be promoted to the rank of captain and will also be conferred the title of royal aide-de-camp. In addition to the already mentioned activities, Dimitrie Știubei was a member of the "Royal Society of Marine Arts" in London, he decorated several Romanian naval ships and painted historical-themed frescoes for the Royal Station Băneasa and for the Royal Station in Sibiu. His love for endless stretches of blue can be identified from his first paintings he made at only 15 years old after visiting Techirghiol, Turkey or the Aegean Sea. He will capture both the troubled sea and the calm of the water; and military discipline and plastic rigour will help him create true masterpieces. Dimitrie Știubei valorises the marine space by illustrating a variety of civilian or military ships. The meeting of the sky with the vastness of the sea will be facilitated by the use of firm lines and grey tones.

Dimensions

width 81.5 cm, height 55 cm

Description

oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, in black, "Știubei, (19)80"

Dating

1980

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