most of his works are serene in tones, in contrast with those expressing tonitza's involvement in social issues. they proposed a classical aesthetical ideal, viewing art as a treasurer of spiritual values. this message is most obvious in his northern dobruja landscapes, his still life studies, the portraits of clowns (celebrated for their way of sublimating the comic and grotesque elements in masks and makeup, in order to reveal a sad humanity), young women and children. the so-called "tonitza eyes", both point-shaped and expressive, are a characteristic trait in his children portraits. in contrast with their appreciation for these pieces, zambaccian and other members of "grupul celor patru" expostulated the balchik landscapes: zambaccian remarked that his were "more like arabesques in colored tones, [...] at a time when şirato evolved upward toward a nuanced painting of a beautiful representativeness in a luminous space".