Chimera - Sabin Balasa

A surrealist composition by Sabin Balasa featuring a pale female figure and a red equine creature against a flat blue background.

Sabin Balasa, a Romanian painter known for his distinct approach to figurative art, often explored themes of mythology and the human condition. In this work, the artist presents a composition defined by stark, symbolic figures set against a flat, monochromatic blue background. The scene features a pale, ethereal female figure standing beside a striking red equine creature, with a small, rounded green form positioned to the left.

Balasa’s style is characterised by smooth, almost airbrushed textures and a deliberate lack of traditional perspective. By removing the figures from a specific environment, he forces the viewer to focus on the relationship between the subjects. The contrast between the cool blue backdrop and the warm, saturated red of the animal creates a visual tension. The white figure appears weightless, almost spectral, while the red creature possesses a more grounded, physical presence.

This painting reflects the artist's interest in the intersection of reality and dreamlike states. Balasa frequently utilised such mythological archetypes to communicate internal psychological states rather than literal narratives. The figures do not interact in a conventional sense, yet their proximity suggests a shared, silent existence within a vacuum. The simplicity of the forms and the bold use of colour are hallmarks of his later period, where he moved away from complex compositions to focus on singular, iconic imagery. This print captures the precise colour balance and the smooth application of paint that define the original work, offering a clear view of the artist's unique visual language.