STEFAN LUCHIAN Biography

STEFAN LUCHIAN

1868-1916

Biography

By the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, Stefan Luchian was the Romanian painter with the most remarkable creation. He was an inspired follower of Nicolae Grigorescu and Ion Andreescu, the two famous fathers of the Romanian painting. He did paint landscapes and portraits as much as he did paint compositions and still life, especially flowers. His landscapes equally show the interest in picturesque sights of nature for once and in the symbiosis between abundant vegetation and human appearances for another.

1868 On February 1, the first child of Elena (born Chiriacescu) and major Dumitru Luchian is born in the Stefanesti village, Botosani district in Romania

1873 The family of major Luchian is moving to Bucharest, the capital of Romania, and is buying a house in Popa Soare street

1877 On November 26, the father of the painter, major Dumitru Luchian is dieing in Bucharest

1879-1880 Stefan is studying in the Gymnasium "Sfantu Sava" in Bucharest

1884 The first known painting - a small painting in oil of a house signed "Luchian St. cl.III". He is continuing his gymnasia studies at the Seicaru private boarding school.

1885 He starts to study at the Fine Arts School in Bucharest, after he did refuse to answer the admission test at the military lyceum. In the same year he is starting to study flute at the Conservatory.

1888 He is achieving a diploma at the year end contest.

1889 At the year end contest he is achieving the bronze medal for painting. In October he is moving to München, Germany were he is admitted at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste. His professor is Johann Caspar Herterich. Luchian is making copies after Rembrandt and Coreggio.

1890
A poetry named "Sub camasi de borangic"/under silk blouses- signed "Stefan Luchian (Munich)" is published in the "Generatia viitoare"/ next generation - magazine.
Luchian is returning to Romania and by the end of the year, for the first time five paintings are exhibited in the first exhibition of the new association "The Artistic Round"

1891
In March Luchian is traveling to Paris and is moving in the Latin Quarter - St.Michel, 48.
He was highly impressed by Delacroix and Coubert and is learning about Impressionism.

1892
In February he is finishing a big painting "Un convoi la Plevna", which he wanted to send to the Parisian exhibition and has to return to Romania because of the death of his mother.
In autumn he is returning to Paris. During his Paris staying he did study at the Julian Academy, working in the workshop of W.Bouguereau and Tony Robert-Fleury. The did paint: "La malul marii"/At the sea shore, dated "1892 Paris" and two paintings representing images on the race field : "La Auteuil"/At Auteuil and "Ultima cursa de toamna"/The last autumn ride

1893 In spring he is returning to Bucharest and is participating with four paintings at the exhibition of the "Artistic Round"
Luchian is spending the time from July to October at Jugureanu, at his aunt Sevastia Mirzescu.

1894
In spring he is opening, together with Titus Alexandrescu, a small exhibition in a workshop in the Regala street no. 11, where he was living.
In May he is member of the jury of the Annual exhibition of living artists, exhibition which was organized after an interruption of 13 years. Luchian is exhibiting eight paintings at the Annual exhibition of living artists which was organized at the Romanian Athenaeum - between them also "Ultima cursa de toamna"/Last autumn ride.
In June he is awarded the third medal for "Efect de luna"/Moon effect (painting displayed in the Art Museum in Iasi, Romania).

Stefan Luchian is trying to get a position at the Fine art school in Iasi, Romania but, considering the contest as un-fair, he is giving up.

In November he is present with 10 paintings at the exhibition of the "Cercului artistic de la Ateneu"/The artistic round at the Athenaeum

1895
In March Luchian is elected as vice-president of the Artistic round.
In May he is ordered by the Direction of Monopolies a big painting "Manastirea Tismana"/The Tismana monastery, which was meant to decorate a ship.
Luchian is exhibiting six paintings at the Annual exhibition of living artists.
In autumn Luchian is opening an exhibition in the workshop in the Regala street, together with C.Artachino

1896
In February Luchian is buying a building in the Kiseleff boulevard, Bucharest, and he is moving here at April 23.

The manifest of the Exhibition of Independent Artists, organized in Franklin street no. 12, Bucharest, is signed by Stefan Luchian, Artachino, Bogdan-Pitesti and Vermont. Luchian is exhibiting 15 paintings and the critics do consider him "true independent and modern artist". The exhibition was a protest against the abusive way of organizing the Official exhibition.

1897
In spring he is signing a contract, together with C.Artachino and C.Pascali, for the painting of the church-cathedral in Alexandria, Romania.

In July the Ileana society was established and Stefan Luchian was member of the comity.

In autumn he is signing a contract, together with C.Artachino , for the painting of the church-cathedral in Tulcea, Romania.

1898
On 21 of February the exhibition of the Ileana society is opened and Stefan Luchian is presenting 21 of his paintings.
In April he is traveling to Curtea de Arges, Romania for documentation regarding the painting of the church-cathedral in Alexandria and in May he is starting the work at this project.
By the end of September the work is finished and in November the work is fully accepted by the beneficiary. During all this time Stefan Luchian was living in Alexandria.

In this period he is meeting a young girl, Cecilia Vasilescu, and he starts teaching her painting. A passionate love is connecting the two and they are writing long letters for over a year.

By the end of the year Stefan Luchian was severely ill, the first sign of the infectious disease which is going to torture him tree years later and is going to kill him in less then two decades.

1899
In spring Stefan Luchian is organizing an exhibition with N.Vermont at the Romanian Atheneum in Bucharest.
In May he is moving to Tulcea in order to paint the church-cathedral and is finishing the work in June.

In June his plans to marry Cecilia Vasilescu are failing.
In November he is exhibiting at the Annual Exhibition of Living Artists. Two pastels are selected for the Universal Exhibition which was to find place in 1900 in Paris.

1900
Together with C.Artechino, Stefan Luchian is signing a contract for painting the Brezoianu church in Bucharest.
In June the first appearance of the Revista literara si artistica "Ileana"/ Literary and Artistic Review "Ileana", having Stefan Luchian as responsible for the artistic part.

Two of his pastels are present at the Exposition Décennale des Beaux Arts, as part of the Universal Exhibition in Paris.

1901
The painting of the Brezoianu church is finished.

11 pieces of his work are present at the Painting and sculpture exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum.

In this period he is painting the master piece of this period - "Safta Florareasa"/Safta the florist.
By the end of the year he is delivered in the Pantelimon hospital in Bucharest - very badly ill and paralyzed.

1902
The first exhibition of the Tinerimea artistica/Artistic Youth is organized and 11 works by Stefan Luchian are displayed.
By the end of March he is allowed to leave the hospital, walking with difficulty, and he is spending the summer in the Govora Spa and later in Poiana-Ialomita.

1903
In February Luchian is opening a personal exhibition at the Assan House (39 pieces) all of them pastels and aquarelle.

In March he is participating with 13 works at the second edition of the exhibition of the Artistic Youth.

Luchian is spending the summer in Techirghiol Spa and Constanta, on the Romanian Black Sea coast, and in Filipestii de Padure.

In September he is under the participants of the International Art Exhibition in Athens.

In December Luchian is again present with four works at a new exhibition of the Artistic Youth.

1904
In January Luchian is participating at an exhibition organized in order to raise founds for a study trip to Paris of the drawer N.S.Petrescu
Stefan Luchian has a personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum.

19 of Stefan Luchian's works are displayed at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth and N.Grigorescu is buying the aquarelle De la Bariera Filantropiei/At the Filantropiei barrier.
In summer the painter is in the Constanta and Techirghiol Spa and is painting marine landscapes.
In December a new personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum with 50 of Luchian's oil paintings.

1905
In April Luchian is present with 16 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth.
In June he is participating with two works at the exhibition organized by the Ministry for acquisition of paintings but no one of his works were bought.

In December he is one of the participants at the permanent exhibition Kunstverein in Hamburg, with the painting "Crizanteme"/Chrysanthemums.

1906
In March Luchian is present with 12 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth and one of the works is bought by Anastase Simu.
In August Luchian does participate at the jubilee exhibition organized at Palace of Arts and one of his paintings is bought.

1907
In March Luchian is present with 10 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth.
In December a new personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum.

1908
In March Luchian is present with 12 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth.
In summer the painter is present at the Brebu monastery, in Romania were he is painting over 30 representative landscapes

In December a new personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum with 84 works highly appreciated by the public and the critics.

1909
In March Luchian is present with 12 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth.
On April 23 he is moving to the Romana square no. 76 in Bucharest.

In May he is awarded the medal Bene Merenti first class. In December - January he is participating at the exhibition Arta/Art organized on the Lascar Catargi street in Bucharest.

1910
In March a personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum with over 80 works.

In April Luchian is present with 18 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth.
Opening of Simu art museum in Bucharest and Luchian is participating with 12 works.

In November Luchian is present at the autumn exhibition of the Artistic Youth. In 1910 Stefan Luchian did paint the paintings which are characteristic for his last creation period.

1911
At the beginning of the year the illness becomes critical and he is delivered in the Dr.Margaritarescu Sanatorium.

1912
In April Luchian is displaying 9 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth out of which 7 flower paintings.

1913
In February he is visited by N.Tonitza, important Romania painter.
In March Luchian is displaying 9 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth out of which "Interior" (Lorica)/Interior, the last painting of Stefan Luchian.

1914
In February a personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum together with N.Darascu. Part of the paintings are borrowed from private collectors.

In April Luchian is displaying 3 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth.

1915
In May Luchian is present for the last time with eight works at the Official Exhibition.

1916
On June 28 Stefan Luchian is dieing aged 48 and is buried in the Bellu Cemetery in Bucharest were many important Romanians are buried.

STEFAN LUCHIAN - paintings

1868		On February 1, the first child of Elena (born Chiriacescu) and major Dumitru Luchian is born in the Stefanesti village, Botosani district in Romania
1873		The family of major Luchian is moving to Bucharest, the capital of Romania, and is buying a house in Popa Soare street
1877		On November 26, the father of the painter, major Dumitru Luchian is dieing in Bucharest
1879-1880		Stefan is studying in the Gymnasium "Sfantu Sava" in Bucharest
1884		The first known painting - a small painting in oil of a house signed "Luchian St. cl.III". He is continuing his gymnasia studies at the Seicaru private boarding school.
1885		He starts to study at the Fine Arts School in Bucharest, after he did refuse to answer the admission test at the military lyceum. In the same year he is starting to study flute at the Conservatory.
1888		He is achieving a diploma at the year end contest.
1889		At the year end contest he is achieving the bronze medal for painting. In October he is moving to München, Germany were he is admitted at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste. His professor is Johann Caspar Herterich. Luchian is making copies after Rembrandt and Coreggio.
1890		*A poetry named "Sub camasi de borangic"/under silk blouses- signed "Stefan Luchian (Munich)" is published in the "Generatia viitoare"/ next generation* - magazine. Luchian is returning to Romania and by the end of the year, for the first time five paintings are exhibited in the first exhibition of the new association "The Artistic Round"**
1891		In March Luchian is traveling to Paris and is moving in the Latin Quarter - St.Michel, 48. He was highly impressed by Delacroix and Coubert and is learning about Impressionism.
1892		*In February he is finishing a big painting "Un convoi la Plevna", which he wanted to send to the Parisian exhibition and has to return to Romania because of the death of his mother.* In autumn he is returning to Paris. During his Paris staying he did study at the Julian Academy, working in the workshop of W.Bouguereau and Tony Robert-Fleury. The did paint: "La malul marii"/At the sea shore, dated "1892 Paris" and two paintings representing images on the race field : "La Auteuil"/At Auteuil and "Ultima cursa de toamna"/The last autumn ride
1893		In spring he is returning to Bucharest and is participating with four paintings at the exhibition of the "Artistic Round" Luchian is spending the time from July to October at Jugureanu, at his aunt Sevastia Mirzescu.
1894		In spring he is opening, together with Titus Alexandrescu, a small exhibition in a workshop in the Regala street no. 11, where he was living. In May he is member of the jury of the Annual exhibition of living artists, exhibition which was organized after an interruption of 13 years. Luchian is exhibiting eight paintings at the Annual exhibition of living artists which was organized at the Romanian Athenaeum - between them also "Ultima cursa de toamna"/Last autumn ride. In June he is awarded the third medal for *"Efect de luna"/Moon effect (painting displayed in the Art Museum in Iasi, Romania).* Stefan Luchian is trying to get a position at the Fine art school in Iasi, Romania but, considering the contest as un-fair, he is giving up. In November he is present with 10 paintings at the exhibition of the "Cercului artistic de la Ateneu"/The artistic round at the Athenaeum
1895		In March Luchian is elected as vice-president of the Artistic round. In May he is ordered by the Direction of Monopolies a big painting "Manastirea Tismana"/The Tismana monastery, which was meant to decorate a ship. Luchian is exhibiting six paintings at the Annual exhibition of living artists. In autumn Luchian is opening an exhibition in the workshop in the Regala street, together with C.Artachino
1896		In February Luchian is buying a building in the Kiseleff boulevard, Bucharest, and he is moving here at April 23. The manifest of the Exhibition of Independent Artists, organized in Franklin street no. 12, Bucharest, is signed by Stefan Luchian, Artachino, Bogdan-Pitesti and Vermont. Luchian is exhibiting 15 paintings and the critics do consider him "true independent and modern artist". The exhibition was a protest against the abusive way of organizing the Official exhibition.
1897		In spring he is signing a contract, together with C.Artachino and C.Pascali, for the painting of the church-cathedral in Alexandria, Romania. *In July the Ileana* society was established and Stefan Luchian was member of the comity. In autumn he is signing a contract, together with C.Artachino , for the painting of the church-cathedral in Tulcea, Romania.**
1898		On 21 of February the exhibition of the Ileana society is opened and Stefan Luchian is presenting 21 of his paintings. In April he is traveling to Curtea de Arges, Romania for documentation regarding the painting of the church-cathedral in Alexandria and in May he is starting the work at this project. By the end of September the work is finished and in November the work is fully accepted by the beneficiary. During all this time Stefan Luchian was living in Alexandria. In this period he is meeting a young girl, Cecilia Vasilescu, and he starts teaching her painting. A passionate love is connecting the two and they are writing long letters for over a year. By the end of the year Stefan Luchian was severely ill, the first sign of the infectious disease which is going to torture him tree years later and is going to kill him in less then two decades.
1899		In spring Stefan Luchian is organizing an exhibition with N.Vermont at the Romanian Atheneum in Bucharest. In May he is moving to Tulcea in order to paint the church-cathedral and is finishing the work in June. In June his plans to marry Cecilia Vasilescu are failing. In November he is exhibiting at the Annual Exhibition of Living Artists. Two pastels are selected for the Universal Exhibition which was to find place in 1900 in Paris.
1900		Together with C.Artechino, Stefan Luchian is signing a contract for painting the Brezoianu church in Bucharest. In June the first appearance of the Revista literara si artistica "Ileana"/ Literary and Artistic Review "Ileana", having Stefan Luchian as responsible for the artistic part. *Two of his pastels are present at the Exposition Décennale des Beaux Arts, as part of the Universal Exhibition in Paris.*
1901		The painting of the Brezoianu church is finished. 11 pieces of his work are present at the Painting and sculpture exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum. In this period he is painting the master piece of this period - "Safta Florareasa"/Safta the florist. By the end of the year he is delivered in the Pantelimon hospital in Bucharest - very badly ill and paralyzed.
1902		The first exhibition of the Tinerimea artistica/Artistic Youth is organized and 11 works by Stefan Luchian are displayed. By the end of March he is allowed to leave the hospital, walking with difficulty, and he is spending the summer in the Govora Spa and later in Poiana-Ialomita.
1903		In February Luchian is opening a personal exhibition at the Assan House (39 pieces) all of them pastels and aquarelle. In March he is participating with 13 works at the second edition of the exhibition of the Artistic Youth. Luchian is spending the summer in Techirghiol Spa and Constanta, on the Romanian Black Sea coast, and in Filipestii de Padure. In September he is under the participants of the International Art Exhibition in Athens. In December Luchian is again present with four works at a new exhibition of the Artistic Youth.
1904		In January Luchian is participating at an exhibition organized in order to raise founds for a study trip to Paris of the drawer N.S.Petrescu Stefan Luchian has a personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum. 19 of Stefan Luchian's works are displayed at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth and N.Grigorescu is buying the aquarelle De la Bariera Filantropiei/At the Filantropiei barrier. In summer the painter is in the Constanta and Techirghiol Spa and is painting marine landscapes. In December a new personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum with 50 of Luchian's oil paintings.
1905		In April Luchian is present with 16 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth. In June he is participating with two works at the exhibition organized by the Ministry for acquisition of paintings but no one of his works were bought. In December he is one of the participants at the permanent exhibition Kunstverein in Hamburg, with the painting "Crizanteme"/Chrysanthemums.
1906		In March Luchian is present with 12 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth and one of the works is bought by Anastase Simu. In August Luchian does participate at the jubilee exhibition organized at Palace of Arts and one of his paintings is bought.
1907		In March Luchian is present with 10 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth. In December a new personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum.
1908		In March Luchian is present with 12 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth. In summer the painter is present at the Brebu monastery, in Romania were he is painting over 30 representative landscapes In December a new personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum with 84 works highly appreciated by the public and the critics.
1909		In March Luchian is present with 12 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth. On April 23 he is moving to the Romana square no. 76 in Bucharest. In May he is awarded the medal Bene Merenti first class. In December - January he is participating at the exhibition Arta/Art organized on the Lascar Catargi street in Bucharest.
1910		In March a personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum with over 80 works. In April Luchian is present with 18 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth. Opening of Simu art museum in Bucharest and Luchian is participating with 12 works. In November Luchian is present at the autumn exhibition of the Artistic Youth. In 1910 Stefan Luchian did paint the paintings which are characteristic for his last creation period.
1911		At the beginning of the year the illness becomes critical and he is delivered in the Dr.Margaritarescu Sanatorium.
1912		In April Luchian is displaying 9 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth out of which 7 flower paintings.
1913		In February he is visited by N.Tonitza, important Romania painter. *In March Luchian is displaying 9 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth out of which "Interior" (Lorica)/Interior, the last painting of Stefan Luchian.*
1914		In February a personal exhibition at the Romanian Athenaeum together with N.Darascu. Part of the paintings are borrowed from private collectors. In April Luchian is displaying 3 works at the exhibition of the Artistic Youth.
1915		In May Luchian is present for the last time with eight works at the Official Exhibition.
1916		On June 28 Stefan Luchian is dieing aged 48 and is buried in the Bellu Cemetery in Bucharest were many important Romanians are buried.