He was born into a family of shopkeepers. From 1891 to 1896, he attended the "Cantemir Vodă"
Gymnasium, where he received high grades in his drawing classes. After winning a scholarship competition at the "National School of Fine Arts" (now known as the
Bucharest National University of Arts), he studied with
George Demetrescu Mirea and graduated in 1901. He also made the acquaintance of art historian
Alexandru Tzigara-Samurcaș, who introduced him to Romanian folk art. Over the next year, he applied twice at the "Ministry of Religion and Public Instruction" for a scholarship to study abroad, but was denied both times. In 1903, he had his first showing at an exhibition held by "Tinerimea artistică" (Artistic Youth). That same year saw the beginning of a journal called
Voința națională (The National Will) where his friends
Ilarie Chendi and
Emil Gârleanu gave him critical exposure. He also worked as a clerk for a year at the above-mentioned Ministry before tendering his resignation. From 1904 to 1905, he became a contributor to his friends' journal. In 1907, he had his first solo exhibition at the
Sala Ateneului. He also began working as a regular columnist for the magazine
Viața Românească, where he wrote about the art industry, art education, trends in style and other topics. He also wrote articles for the journal
Convorbiri Literare (Literary Talk). Later that year, he entered a contest for a position in the decorative arts department at the School of Fine Arts, but his works were stolen the day before judging and he had to withdraw. In 1909, his former employers at the Ministry of Religion sent him to
Horezu Monastery to study the condition of its art works and write a report for the "Bulletin of the Historical Monuments Commission". He was preparing to do further studies on other historical monuments and travel to Paris to research methods of restoration, but died of an unspecified heart ailment. A major retrospective of his work was held at the
National Museum of Art of Romania to celebrate his birth centennial in 1980. ==Selected paintings==