Aurel Popp permanent exhibition, by Andra Gerin, 1st year ITA

THE ART MUSEUM OF SATU MARE, ROMANIA

Paintings, graphic works and sculptures, over 70, made by Aurel Popp, one of the most talented and representative fine artists in Transylvania, are exhibited at the Art Museum in Satu Mare during a permanent exhibition. There are five halls.  In the first room, the artist's studio is recreated, the portrait room, the landscape hall, and the last two halls are dedicated to the artist.

    In the last room, the artist is revealing the tragedy of war and the tragedy  of the man crushed by history; it also presents two paintings with Christ represented as a crying martyr who crashes under the weight of his own cross. His war is not a glorious battle, in his war the final victory belongs to the crowd and eagles; the imobilized old man is headed to death. His people are not young couples in love, or children playing. His true hero is the man crushed by work, the hungry mother and the child born to die.

    Between chromatic flashes seeming too aesthetic but always captivating, Aurel Popp became one of the most representative painters when it comes to aggressiveness. He glorifies human misery like no one else;  that’s for sure.