Independent-minded, Corneliu Baba (1906-1997) developed a personal realism that was very different from the stereotypes of Socialist Realism. His themes, some of which are close to the official party lines, show profound originality. He was influenced by expressionism, which became the main characteristic of his painting. His work also reveals other sources of inspiration. The mystery that suffuses his work is similar to that of Byzantine icons. The intense light and shadow of the Flemish masters adds contrast to his dark warm colors. Baba's life mirrors this unsettled century, but his paintings remain timeless. His reputation which is well established from the Danube to the Yang-Tse-Kiang, has yet to be fully appreciated in the Western World.

This edited volume will be the first book examining the art history of China’s socialist period from the perspective of modernism, modernity, and global interactions. The majority of chapters are based on newly available archival materials and fresh critical frameworks/concepts. By shifting the frame of interpretation from socialist realism to socialist modernity, this study reveals the plurality of the historical process of developing modernity in China, the autonomy of artistic agency, and the complexity of an art world conditioned, yet not completely confined, by its surrounding political and ideological apparatus. The unexpected global exchanges examined by many of the authors in this study and the divergent approaches, topics, and genres they present add new sources and insights to this research field, revealing an art history that is heterogeneous, pluralistic, and multi-layered. The book will be of interest to scholars working in art history, art and politics, and Chinese studies.

The Rough Guide to Romania is the definitive guidebook to one of Europe's most fascinating, scenic, and enigmatic countries. A full-color introduction highlights all the must-see sights, from the wilds of the Carpathian mountains to the marvelous Delta wetlands, and references the country's many unique festivals. Two full-color sections describe the country's extraordinary religious architecture and its many outdoor activities-from mountain hikes and skiing to bear and wolf tracking. This comprehensive guide includes informed background on Romania's history, wildlife, literature, music, and, of course, Dracula. Reviews of top hotel and restaurant options cover every taste and budget. Accurate maps and comprehensive practical information help you get under the skin of Romania, while stunning photography makes this your ultimate traveling companion. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Romania.

From the early Renaissance through Baroque and Romanticism to Cubism, Surrealism, and Pop, these canonical works of Western Art span eight centuries and a vast range of subjects. Here are the sacred and the scandalous, the minimalist and the opulent, the groundbreaking and the conventional. There are paintings that captured the feeling of an era and those that signaled the beginning of a new one. Works of art that were immediately recognised for their genius, and others that were at first met with resistance. All have stood the test of time and in their own ways contribute to the dialectic on what makes a painting great, how notions of art have changed, to what degree art reflects reality, and to what degree it alters it. Brought together, these great works illuminate the changing preoccupations and insights of our ancestors, and give us pause to consider which paintings from our own era will ultimately join the canon.