Romania has a less known, but illustrious impressionist painting tradition, ever since the beginnings of the movement in France in the last quarter of the 19th century, until well into the mid c20th, mirroring the similarly long-lived, but much better known example of the United States impressionist school. The painting above by Lucia Balacescu Demetriade, was produced in 1943 and shows a serene fin de siècle scene, which fully vindicates the ‘Little Paris’ appellative given to c19th Bucharest. The building in the background is in a style which I also call ‘Little Paris’ (French c19th architectural styles locally interpreted in a provincial manner) and constitute an excellent witness of a beautiful epoch in this city’s history. That type of building and leafy areas in which they are located are now under treat from unscrupulous property developers taking advantage of a weak architectural heritage legislation under the indifferent eye of often corrupt city authorities.
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I endeavor through this daily image series to inspire appreciation of the historic houses of Romania, a virtually undiscovered, but fascinating chapter of European architectural heritage.
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If you plan acquiring a historic property in Romania or start a renovation project, I would be delighted to advice you in locating the property, specialist research, planning permissions, restoration project management, etc. To discuss your particular plan please see my contact details in the Contact page of this weblog.
Valentin Mandache, architectural historian 