11 Facts About Nicolae Tonitza

Nicolae Tonitza spent the following three years in Paris, where he visited artists' studios, and studied famous paintings.

In 1916, after Romania entered the conflict, Nicolae Tonitza was drafted into the Army and fought from 20 to 25 August with the 84th Infantry Regiment at the Battle of Turtucaia.

Nicolae Tonitza was set free and returned in April 1918.

Nicolae Tonitza became close to the writer and activist Gala Galaction, whose book O lume noua he illustrated in 1919, and whose portrait he painted one year later.

In 1921, Nicolae Tonitza expanded his range, painting prototypes for a ceramics factory, and organizing a ceramics exhibition; the same year, he moved to Valenii de Munte, and decided to cease contributing to the press.

Nicolae Tonitza met success in 1925, after opening a large exhibit of his Valenii de Munte paintings in Bucharest, while raising controversy over his "poster-like" style.

Nicolae Tonitza was angered by the reception of his work in Constanta, declaring himself insulted after he was made to showcase his designs in competition to lesser-known artists.

Nicolae Tonitza fell severely ill in 1937, and died three years later.

Nicolae Tonitza is buried at the Ghencea Cemetery, in Bucharest.

Nicolae Tonitza equally objected to Grigorescu's influence over younger generations, which had led to "mannerism" and "nationalism" in choice of subjects, and the emergent urbane art.

Nicolae Tonitza drew a direct comparison between the artist's innovative presence in painting and George Bacovia's Symbolist poetry.