owing much to the art of his predecessor ştefan luchian, tonitza was largely inspired by impressionism, but he equally admired the discoveries made by post-impressionist artists (their revolution in composition and belle époque splendor). tonitza was notably critical of nicolae grigorescu, the major trend-setter in romanian art, whose success over "peasant motifs", he stated, had "lured him to remain, for the rest of his life, in this rosy and light-hearted atmosphere". he equally objected to grigorescu's influence over younger generations, which had led to "mannerism" and "nationalism" in choice of subjects, and the emergent urbane art ("where man shall represent only a decorative and amusing accessory").