The Museum of Art Collections in Bucharest recently re-opened in the Romanit Palace on Calea Victoriei in the Romanian capital city, and among the first guests of the museum was heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, who was on a private visit to Romania.

A branch of the National Art Museum MNAR, the Museum of Art Collections was re-opened after 27 years of consolidation and renovation work on its three wings.

The museum features a collection of Romanian art paintings, as well as a drawing by Vincent van Gogh, and a series of paintings by Japanese artist Utagawa Kunisada.

The museum showcases painting, sculpture, graphic and decorative art, presenting the story of the works of art, together with the personal stories of their owners. Among the Romanian painters whose works are on display are Nicolae Grigorescu, Corneliu Baba and Nicolae Tonitza, all of whom fetch high sums in local art auctions.

The works of art are divided among 34 collections that used to belong to personalities in between the two world wars, including diplomats, military officers and artists. Three of these collections are currently subject to restitution files, as the owners had to donate their collections during the communist regime. A fourth collection has already been given back to the original owners or their heirs.

The museum is open from Saturday to Wednesday, between 11:00 and 19:00. Tickets cost RON 15 per person, and RON 7.5 for pensioners. A combined ticket of RON 20 gives access to the Museum of Art Collections, the National Gallery and the European Art Gallery. Every first Wednesday of the month, the Museum of Art Collections has free entry, with the first such day on June 5.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Wikimedia Commons)