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Ștefan C. Arteni (1947–2020) was a multifaceted Romanian artist known for his work in East Asian calligraphy and both secular and religious paintings. Born in Bucharest, he developed an early passion for Eastern Asian arts after watching the film "Harakiri." Denied a fine arts education due to political reasons, he studied architecture before fleeing communist Romania in 1971. Settling in Rome and later New York City, he immersed himself in calligraphy, studying under masters and teaching the art. His work, blending Hesychast and Zen spirituality, earned him prestigious titles, including the Shihan in Japanese calligraphy. Arteni exhibited widely and his works are held in numerous prestigious collections globally.