Ion Jalea

Ion Jalea (; 19 May 1887 – 7 November 1983) was a Romanian sculptor, monumentalist, teacher, and member of the Romanian Academy.

He fought in the First World War and lost his left hand in battle. Despite this challenge, he continued to sculpt with his right hand for the rest of his life.

Biography Artistic studies Jalea was born on 19 May 1887 in the small town of Casimcea, Tulcea County. His family moved in 1893 to the village of Ciocârlia de Jos. Jalea attended the Mircea cel Bătrân High School in Constanța.

Career Following his recovery, despite having lost an arm, Jalea demonstrated unwavering devotion to the art of sculpture, as he had done before. Utilising only his right arm, he rose to fame as a renowned sculptor, achieving his greatest works following his amputation.

Jalea's talents were recognised on an international level, as evidenced by his accolades at prominent events such as the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition,

Sculptures During his long artistic career, Jalea authored numerous monuments, statues, busts, reliefs, and allegorical compositions. His primary goal in these works was to highlight significant noteworthy events or personalities. Demonstrating a fusion of sculptural and pictorial elements, Jalea's technique was heavily influenced by Paciurea and Rodin. He also incorporated a rigorous sense of spatial arrangement, complemented by the balanced and harmonious use of shapes, a trademark of Bourdelle's style.

Fall of Angels and Fall of Lucifer, 1915. Monument of the CFR heroes, done in 1923 together with Cornel Medrea and displayed at Gara de Nord in Bucharest. Hercules and the Centaur, 1925, displayed in Herăstrău Park. Resting Archer, 1926, at the Ion Jalea Museum in Constanța. Bas-reliefs from the Mausoleum of Mărășești, done in 1930 together with Medrea. Statue of Spiru Haret, 1935, in University Square, Bucharest. Statue of Dumitru Brezulescu, 1936, at Novaci; destroyed in 1948. Several sculptures from the facades of Arcul de Triumf, 1936. Statue of Queen Elisabeth (Carmen Sylva), 1937, at Constanța. Bust of Mihai Eminescu, 1943, in Cișmigiu Gardens. Bust of Octavian Goga, 1943, in Cișmigiu Gardens; destroyed after 1944 and replaced by a bust of Ion Creangă. Bust of , 1946, at the "Love of People" hospital in Bucharest. Statue of George Enescu, 1971, in front of the Romanian National Opera, Bucharest. Equestrian statue of Mircea I of Wallachia, 1972, at Tulcea. Bust of Theodor Rogalski, at Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company. Statues Hammer Thrower and Mother and Schoolchild, 1977, at Suceava. Equestrian statue of Decebalus, 1978, at Deva. Dragoș and the Bison monument, 1978, at Câmpulung Moldovenesc. Two statues called Workers at Giulești Theatre, Bucharest

Coin design

In 1935, he designed the 250 lei coin, which features the Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Romania and the Effigy of King Carol II.

Awards and distinctions In 1941, Jalea received the Romanian National Prize for sculpture. In 1948, he was elected corresponding member of the Romanian Academy, and in 1955, he was promoted to titular member of the academy. In 1956, he became President of the Union of Romanian Plastic Artists. In 1966, he was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, first class, for the sculpture Hercules and the Centaur.