Departed Moldovan fine artist would have turned 80

Chisinau, 21 March /MOLDPRES/ - Painter, drawer, author of the national symbols, holder of the Order of the Republic Gheorghe Vrabie would have turned 80 today.  

Gheorghe Vrabie was born in the village of Calinesti, Balti county, presently western Falesti district, on 21 March 1939. In 1962-1967, Vrabie studied at the Ilya Repin State Academy Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture from Saint Petersburg, Russia. 

Gheorghe Vrabie debuted in the fine art in 1961. During years, he illustrated more volumes of Romanian and universal literature by writers Mihai Eminescu, Ion Druta, Grigore Vieru, Liviu Damian, Paul Valery and others. According to competent specialists, the book graphic by Vrabie is distinguished by the safety of line, accuracy of the subject, subtlety of the execution.   

Along with his wife Dorina Cojocaru, the departed painter made more works in Mosaic. He had personal exhibitions in Moldova and abroad. Vrabie displayed personal works at the Art Gallery Casa Cărţii (Book House) from Iasi, Romania, at the Central House of Writers from Moscow, Central Hall of the Fine Artists Union from Odessa.    

Gheorghe Vrabie’s most important works are the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Moldova, flag of the Chisinau municipality and the design of the Moldovan leu. According to the artist, he wanted to point out the Latinity of the origin of our nation through the eagle represented on the Coat of Arms.    

În 1964, Gheorghe Vrabie was awarded the Prize I at a contest held by the Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts, in 1990 – the prize for the contest organized for the working out of Moldova’s Coat of Arms and in 1999 – the Prize of Moldova’s Fine Artists Union. In 1998, Vrabie was awarded the honorary title Art Master, in 2000 – the Mihai Eminescu medal and in 2010 – the Order of the Republic.     

Gheorghe Vrabie died on 31 March 2016. He was buried at the Central Orthodox Cemetery on the Armeneasca Street from Chisinau.