National Culture Day at the National Museum of Art of Romania Inauguration of the European Decorative Art Gallery

On the occasion of National Culture Day, January 15, 2024, the National Museum of Art of Romania inaugurates the European Decorative Art Gallery, a unique permanent exhibition in the Romanian cultural landscape, offering the public access to an impressive collection of approximately 400 pieces of tapestry and furniture, decorative art in ceramics, glass, and metal.

Covering an area of over 400 square meters, the European Decorative Art Gallery, composed of six rooms, illustrates four centuries of history of taste and refinement, of innovations, manufactures, and European craftsmen from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia from the 16th to the 19th centuries and completes the museum's permanent exhibition alongside the European Art Gallery and the National Gallery.

The exhibition includes a wonderful marriage casket made in Dresden in 1586, ceramics from famous faience manufactories in Delft (Netherlands), Manises (Spain), Montelupo Fiorentino, and Savona (Italy), Rouen, Moustiers, and Sèvres (France), Meissen (Germany), Provencal furniture and French tapestries, as well as exceptional pieces of silver alongside the famous Bohemian crystal glasses. The mastery of Russian craftsmen can be admired in delicate cloisonné silver pieces, niello silver cups, or in the Punch Bowl made by the famous Fabergé workshop. Additionally, a precious collection of clocks illustrates the excellence of jewelers and clockmakers from the most important workshops in Europe.

The presence of these objects in Romania attests to the fact that our country has always been part of a European circuit of cultural exchanges.

Europe has not only been the space for the manifestation of secular practices in the artistic domain but also a place where the creative contribution from other continents has fused into defining expressions of human spirit's exceptionality. These varied cultural influences have contributed over time to defining a European identity reflected in the gallery's exhibition.

The opening of the European Decorative Art Gallery is due to a passionate and dedicated team at the National Museum of Art of Romania, composed of curators, conservators, restorers, and technicians, as well as significant contributions from sponsors and partners without whom this large-scale project would not have been possible: the "Friends of MNAR" Association, Raiffeisen BANK, Camelia Șucu, Coca-Cola Romania, Romcar, Banca Comercială Română, Tomini Trading, TNT Romania, Solmar Trading

Group, Soft Medica, Romtelecom, Unilever, Veronica Savanciuc, ITH Management Office, CitiBank Romania, Leadership Development Romania, the National Bank of Romania, and Topo Capital Corporation.

The spaces hosting this gallery have undergone an extensive refurbishment process, being heavily affected by the earthquake in 1986 and the fire in 1989. The opening of this gallery required the creation of display cases that comply with the latest industry standards, ensuring both the security of the pieces and a display mode at the highest standards.

The European Decorative Art Gallery benefits from a digital component for the first time, the MyMNAR application, which can be used within the gallery during museum visits to interactively enhance the exhibition experience.

Workshops and educational programs dedicated to children and adults will be organized to facilitate access to the decorative art pieces on display while also aiding in the development of creativity and artistic spirit.

On January 15, National Culture Day, the central headquarters of MNAR (Calea Victoriei 49-53) will be open from 10:00 to 18:00, offering the public the opportunity to visit the European Decorative Art Gallery, Historical Spaces, European Art Gallery, and National Gallery free of charge.

Access to the European Decorative Art Gallery is through entrance A2, 3rd floor, Calea Victoriei 49-53, from Wednesday to Sunday, between 10:00 and 18:00.

On Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 18:00, there will be a preview for the press and other categories of the public, accessible by invitation only.