The National Museum of Art in Bucharest is one of the oldest and most respected cultural institutions in Romania, and especially during the last decade has promoted Romanian and international art through various exhibitions. Some of these shows brought back to the public eye major Romanian artists, while others presented major works from European, Asian and American painters and draftsmen, from the Old Masters to new names in the world of art. Many of these exhibitions have enjoyed tremendous success, proving that not only the public is ready and eager for art, but also that the curators and specialists working at the National Museum of Art are trully dedicated to their work.
Gh Petrascu - Sighisoara Fair
Over all these years a major chapter of the museum's activity was that of acquisitions. With care and knowledge, curators have chosen which works and collections to buy, which artists deserve to be a part of the collections, which works must be preserved and presented to the public. Focusing on Romanian artists, not forgetting international works and artists, the collections of the museum grew year after year. And it also became customary for the museum to present the best of these acquisitions yearly, in special temporary exhibitions, so far surprisingly successful. For it is also normal for art lovers to be interested in what the museum has added to it's treasures, to discover or rediscover important names and works, to be familiar with what is new.
St Luchian - House with Fence
The latest temporary exhibition hosted by the museum is taking place from May to June 2008, two whole months, during which visitors can discover the best acquisitions made in 2007 - 2008 (only the first part of the year, naturally). Of course, most of the works are signed by Romanian masters, but you can also admire some interesting works of foreign painters. The museum has bought 71 works of art, for different departments, such as Old Romanian Art, Modern Romanian Art, European Art or Decorative Arts. All of these are being shown at the museum.
Among the highlights of the exhibition is a manuscript from the Ottoman Empire, dating from the 18th century, four icons from the 15th and 16th century (of Russian and Greek origin), four works of decorative art, a few booknotes and sketches by Nicolae Vermont, a special, highly valuable book, "Histoire des Peintres Impressionnistes" with gorgeus reproductions, engravings, sketches, book illustrations. Some important Romanian artists are presented in the show : Gh. Petrascu, St Luchian, Marcel Iancu, Ion Andreescu, Pallady.
This is one of the most interesting exhibitions hosted in this time frame in any Romanian museum and it is surely worth visiting by all. Although not very large, it is well organised and presented, and it is interesting to discover how impressive the works of important Romanian artists are.
2008-05-21
www.artline.ro
