Moldovan painter, author of national symbols passes way

Chisinau, 31 March /MOLDPRES/ - Painter and drawer, author of Moldova’s national symbols, holder of the Order of the Republic Gheorghe Vrabie passed away at the age of 77 today morning.   
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 Academic Institute of Painting, Architecture and Sculpture from St. Petersburg, Russia.   
Gheorghe Vrabie started working in fine arts in 1961. During years, Vrabie illustrated more volumes of the Romanian and universal literature: books by Mihai Eminescu, Ion Druta, Grigore Vieru, Liviu Damian, Dante, Longos, Paul Valery, etc. According to specialists in the field, the book graphic made by Gheorghe  Vrabie is distinguished by the safety of the line, accuracy of the subject, refinement of the performance.  
Gheorghe Vrabie had personal exhibitions in Moldova and abroad. He exhibited at the Art Gallery, Casa Cartii (Book House) from Iasi, Romania, Moscow-based Central House of Writers, Fine Artists’ Union of Odessa.  
The most important works by Gheorghe Vrabie 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 highlight the Latinity of our nation by the eagle represented on the Coat of Arms.  
In 1964, Gheorghe Vrabie was awarded the Prize I for graphic at a contest organised by the St. Petersburg Academy of Art, in 1990 – the Prize of a contest organised for developing the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Moldova and in 1999 – the Prize of the Fine Artist’ Union of Moldova. In 1998, Vrabie was awarded the honorific title Master of Art. In 2000, he was conferred the medal Mihai Eminescu, and in 2010 – the Order of the Republic.       
(Reporter N. Roibu, editor M. Jantovan)