On the occasion of the National Day of the painter Nicolae Grigorescu, the National Museum of Art of Romania (MNAR), in partnership with the National Village Museum "Dimitrie Gusti," announces the opening of the exhibition "Nicolae Grigorescu -  Painter of the Romanian Ethos." The exhibition will be open to the public starting from Monday, May 15, 2023, which marks the artist's 185th birth anniversary, until Sunday, September 17, 2023.

The press is invited to a preview of the exhibition on Friday, May 12,2023, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, in the presence of the curatorial team.

The exhibition includes over 120 paintings from the MNAR collection, many of which are of large dimensions and have rarely been exhibited or are presented to the public for the first time after undergoing restoration. In addition to these works, the collection of the National Village Museum "Dimitrie Gusti" contributes with peasant costumes, decorative objects, and 83 photographs taken during  research conducted between 1925-1936 by the team of Professor  Dimitrie Gusti in rural locations in Romania.

On the occasion of Nicolae Grigorescu's 185th birth anniversary, the evaluation of his artistic heritage focuses on works that can be  associated with the expression of a national ethos, which both the  artist's contemporaries and subsequent generations have perceived and appreciated. Therefore, his works are accompanied by a  selection of quotes from writings about his work throughout the 20^th century, from Nicolae Iorga to Andrei Pleșu.

Beyond this unifying approach, our exhibition also aims to focus the public's attention on the artistic value of his works, which bear the imprint of his exceptional talent.

"Although he was sometimes criticized for only painting the beautiful aspects of rural life, devoid of any reference to social issues,  Grigorescu's choice is related to the identification of themes in  which his compatriots found the essence of a national spirit,  captured in the portrayal of the generous nature of this country, the  beauty of peasant attire, and rural scenes resonating in the  collective consciousness of the Romanian people," says Dr. Călin- Alexiu Stegerean, the general director of MNAR.

The exhibition was curated by a team from MNAR, including
Dr. Călin-Alexiu Stegerean, general director and coordinating curator,
Alina Petrescu, head of the Modern Romanian Art section,
Miruna Moraru, curator, and Monica Croitoru-Tonciu, curator.
Painting restoration: Ioan Sfrijan, head of the department, Sorina  Gheorghiță, Raluca Bivol, Adrian Corduban, Crenguța Corduban, Horațiu Costin, and Rareș Pătrașcu.
Frame restoration: Silvia Luca, Violeta Pintilie.
Conservators: Costina Anghel, Paula Luca, Victoria Oancea and Cătălina Negoiță.

From the National Village Museum "Dimitrie Gusti", the collaboration involved Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paula Popoiu, manager, Dr. Georgiana Onoiu, head of the Cultural Heritage Treasure section, Dr. Aurelia Tudor, scientific researcher, the team of the Cultural Heritage Treasure section, the team of the Documentary Archive  Office, and the team of the Conservation-Restoration Laboratory.

During the exhibition, educational activities for children, guided tours, and conferences will be organized. A special program entitled "Directors' Tour" will feature a series of lectures given by directors of prestigious cultural institutions within the exhibition.