
Description
Melan Choly framed
Original Oil Painting on Canvas by Alexandru Darida
Hand Signed by the Artist
5" custom framed
Art Condition: Mint
Image Size: 16"x 12"
Frame Size: 31" x 27"
Certificate of Authenticity and appraisal is included
Gallery Retail : $3,600.00 (framed)
Make an Offer!!
Alexandru Darida
The childhood of painter Alexandru Darida sounds more like something from a fairy tale than from reality. Born to an Italian father and Romanian mother, he grew up amidst breathtaking medieval castles in Transylvania, in the city of Satu Mare – the region famous as the birthplace of the Dracula legend. The romantic imagery of his youth and the artistic talents of his older brother Ioan, a specialist in art restoration and conservation, with a PhD in the subject and an art advisor for ALIS Auction House Bucharest, provided the framework for Darida's own artistic endeavour.
After graduating from the Ecoles des Beaux Arts in Romania, in 1978, Darida struggled as an artist with the restraints on creative freedom imposed by the communist regime. Behind the forbidding iron curtain, he was limited to painting what the government told him to paint, and was denied permission to paint anything else. Overwhelmed by the restrictions imposed upon him, he realized that he had to escape the tyranny of communism in order to fully pursue his artistic passion. In 1985, Darida made a courageous escape to Italy, where he was determined to pursue his new-found artistic freedom in the city of Rome. He enrolled for studies at the then small private Benedetti Liberal Academy of Art in Rome Savouring his artistic freedom, Darida traveled extensively through the museums of Western Europe, seeing masterpieces for himself that he could never have seen in communist Romania. He visited museums in Venice, Florence, Sienna, Bologna, Naples and elsewhere, finding particular inspiration in the work of Botticelli, Rembrandt and Modigliani. By 1987 Darida was tired of being pursued by the Romanian government. He sought the help of Clelio Darida (no relation), undersecretary of the Minister of the Interior, former Mayor of Rome and an admirer of the artist's work. Darida immigrated to the United States that year, going to Chicago where he continued his studies at the American Academy of Art under the influential teacher and watercolor artist Irving Shapiro, who ventured out into nature for his inspiration.
Condition:
Imperfections: No Imperfections
Condition Notes: MINT
Dimensions:
Height: 31 in.
Width: 27 in.
Depth: 1 in.
Category: Paintings
Origin: United States
Materials: Canvas, Oil Paint
Shipping:Domestic: Flat-rate of $80.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S. International: No International Shipping for this auction. Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding. Location: This item ships from Aurora, CO
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Original Oil Painting on Canvas by Alexandru Darida
Hand Signed by the Artist
5" custom framed
Art Condition: Mint
Image Size: 16"x 12"
Frame Size: 31" x 27"
Certificate of Authenticity and appraisal is included
Gallery Retail : $3,600.00 (framed)
Make an Offer!!
Alexandru Darida
The childhood of painter Alexandru Darida sounds more like something from a fairy tale than from reality. Born to an Italian father and Romanian mother, he grew up amidst breathtaking medieval castles in Transylvania, in the city of Satu Mare – the region famous as the birthplace of the Dracula legend. The romantic imagery of his youth and the artistic talents of his older brother Ioan, a specialist in art restoration and conservation, with a PhD in the subject and an art advisor for ALIS Auction House Bucharest, provided the framework for Darida's own artistic endeavour.
After graduating from the Ecoles des Beaux Arts in Romania, in 1978, Darida struggled as an artist with the restraints on creative freedom imposed by the communist regime. Behind the forbidding iron curtain, he was limited to painting what the government told him to paint, and was denied permission to paint anything else. Overwhelmed by the restrictions imposed upon him, he realized that he had to escape the tyranny of communism in order to fully pursue his artistic passion. In 1985, Darida made a courageous escape to Italy, where he was determined to pursue his new-found artistic freedom in the city of Rome. He enrolled for studies at the then small private Benedetti Liberal Academy of Art in Rome Savouring his artistic freedom, Darida traveled extensively through the museums of Western Europe, seeing masterpieces for himself that he could never have seen in communist Romania. He visited museums in Venice, Florence, Sienna, Bologna, Naples and elsewhere, finding particular inspiration in the work of Botticelli, Rembrandt and Modigliani. By 1987 Darida was tired of being pursued by the Romanian government. He sought the help of Clelio Darida (no relation), undersecretary of the Minister of the Interior, former Mayor of Rome and an admirer of the artist's work. Darida immigrated to the United States that year, going to Chicago where he continued his studies at the American Academy of Art under the influential teacher and watercolor artist Irving Shapiro, who ventured out into nature for his inspiration.
Condition:
Imperfections: No Imperfections
Condition Notes: MINT
Dimensions:
Height: 31 in.
Width: 27 in.
Depth: 1 in.
Category: Paintings
Origin: United States
Materials: Canvas, Oil Paint
Shipping:
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Condition
No Imperfections; MINT
Buyer's Premium
20%
Alexandru Darida Original Painting "Melan Choly" Hand Signed Framed
Estimate $1,800-$5,400
Starting Price
$360
1 bidder is watching this item
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April Curated Finds Part I
Apr 03, 2026 4:00 PM EDTNew York, NY, United States
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