Transylvanian Lands

The continuity of the Cluj school

“Iulia Cosman carries forward the spirit of the Cluj school of painting, reinforcing not only its long-standing tradition, but also its stability, continuity and, why not, brilliance.”

The dialogue between people and nature

“Tărâmuri Transilvane is both a hymn to nature and a hymn to the permanent dialogue between people and nature: harmoniously shaped tones, gentle light, refinement and delicacy through skilful, masterful brushwork; a personal manner that asserts itself and appeals to the viewer.”

Refinement and delicacy

“Yesterday I spent a long time thinking. Last night I began reading; the heat allowed me to do so. The two works brought me very, very close to Berthe Morisot. It is extraordinary to find such correspondences, such delicacy and such refinement in Iulia Cosman’s art.”

An artistic formula of her own

“What is remarkable and evident to a more experienced eye is that she has explored different techniques over time and absorbed something from them, so that this entire alchemy has produced a formula of her own. She is clearly an admirer of Van Gogh; this can be seen in several of the works here today. But it is not only Van Gogh. The schools and programmes she followed after the University of Art and Design have certainly left their mark on her.”

The winter landscapes

“In the summer landscapes she is unafraid of a more feverish and powerful palette—not violent, but well tempered and closer to Fauvism. In the winter landscapes she moves away from that expression and adopts a more restrained palette. All of the winter landscapes reveal their femininity. Her works are so delicate, subtle and feminine that, even without seeing the signature, one knows they were painted by a woman rather than a man. It is extremely interesting.”

Perspective and rigour of drawing

“If I were to examine the works individually, I could trace her CV and the entire course of her development. To choose one example: there is that landscape with the road bordered by fences, where one can see the designer’s architectural eye and where proportion is something one must not depart from. The construction of the perspective is textbook, absolutely impeccable, and the rigour of the drawing is brought out even more strongly by these two factors. Then one works with colour so as not to anger God, while still revealing one’s inner experience. The complete artist is a small magician who breaks down the external universe and reconstructs it according to personal rules, making it recognisable to us yet entirely personal. Some artists create such a distinctive style that their work can be recognised from a great distance.”

Artistic maturity

“I had the impression, in one of the works, that she stopped just beyond [term unclear in the recording], and I believe this was a fortunate and deliberate decision. It is very difficult to decide when to stop. Imagine that we are all composers trying to write the most beautiful song we can. When do you stop? You may continue all your life and never finish it. Painting is the same. It is difficult to choose the moment when you say: “That is enough. Anything I do from this point onward may damage the beauty, the creation I have just completed.” Iulia knows how to stop when things reach the balance that suits her inner self, her artistic character and her emotional and artistic dimension. She knows the point at which to declare: “It is finished. I sign it, close this work and begin something else.””

The emotion in every work

“Why have I told you this? Because, in my view, Iulia Cosman does not belong to that category. Every one of her works conveys emotion. This is not necessarily about technique, but about what painting means to her.”

Looking and seeing

“I began, of course, to look. At first, I was captivated by the surprisingly refined palette and the depth of detail, which initially brought photography to mind. After a while, however, I realised that these paintings must not merely be looked at: they must be seen with the eyes of the soul. These works must be felt.”

A spiritual mapping

“She inwardly relives nature’s most beautiful and vibrant manifestations. There is, I would say, a constant exercise of artistic feeling through which she achieves a spiritual mapping of the Transylvanian lands. That is how I see it. These Transylvanian lands have become for her a celestial realm of spiritual coexistence. She finds herself there, because her principal artistic concern is the search for perfect harmony and, of course, the transcendence of the limits of perceptible, empirical knowledge.”

A balm for the contemporary world

“In today’s world, dominated by pragmatism and forced digitalisation, in a chaotic, bureaucratised and ultimately alienated space, Iulia Cosman’s art is a true dressing, a balm intended to cover and heal the hidden wounds of our contemporary society, which so often lacks empathy.”

Romanian spirituality

“In conclusion, beyond her undeniable talent and extraordinary artistic refinement, through her Transylvanian landscapes Iulia Cosman becomes—and remains—an admirable bearer of Romanian spirituality. Congratulations, Iulia!”