Hosted in a 19th century classical building, an interesting architectural work, the Art Museum in Roman, Neamt, can be found on Mihai Eminescu Str, No 3. Closed on Mondays, it can be visited the rest of the week, from 9 to 17. It is a good and well-kept museum, with an interesting collection of Romanian art, mostly focused on the works of artists who were born or who lived in Roman.
In the beginning, the Art Museum was in the same space with the History Museum, but over the years it proved to be much too small for both institutions, and in 1970 the Art Museum was moved to a much more suitable location, today's place. The old house was perfect for such a museum and collection, and due to it's elegance and equilibrium it emphasised the charm and diversity of the art collections.
So far, there are around 640 works of art in the museum's collections, rather a lot for a local museum, ranging from painting and sculpture to decorative arts and graphics, only a small part of these being exhibited in the six halls of the museum, in permanent displays. The others are presented in periodical temporary exhibitions, which are highly appreciated. The bulk of the collection is dedicated to the artists who in some way have ties to the region of Roman. Some were born here, some moved and worked here, others simply used the landscapes in their works. Well known or rather obscure artists, the sellection of works is interesting and diverse. Some of the names featured here are Maria Ciurdea Steurer, Iosif Steurer, Stavru Tarasov, Jean Cosmovici, Constantin Isachie, Nicu Enea, important Romanian artists.
The subjects chosen by the artists are just as veried, from landscapes and still lifes to flower compositions, portraits, various scenes, mixing traditional Romanian art and foreign influences, mainly from the artists' trips abroad. Besides the interwar artists, the museum has a varied collection of contemporary Romanian art : Gh. Iliescu, Adrian Secoşeanu, Petre Hartopeanu, Corina Lecca, Rodica Bondi, Clement Pompiliu, Iulia Halaucescu, Stefan Hotnog, Victor-Mihailescu Craiu, Ligia Macovei, Gh. Saru, Spiru Chintila, Ion Salisteanu.
The works are varied, rich in colour and themes, sometimes surprinsingly fresh and new, showcasing some interesting trends and techniques used by contemporary Romanian artists.
2008-02-27
