Costina Collection Traces Romanian Art's Shifts at MNAR

The National Museum of Art of Romania (MNAR) in Bucharest is presenting 'De Gardă/ On Duty,' an exhibition featuring the esteemed Costina Collection. This collection, owned by surgeon Sorin Costina, provides a thorough view of Romanian art from the 1970s to the 1990s, showing 200 notable works from a total of 1,000 pieces.

Curated by Erwin Kessler, the exhibition presents what is regarded as the 'canon' of Romanian art post-1960s. It highlights the artistic hierarchy that took shape during the communist era, reflecting the complex balance of experimentation and artistic mastery. Kessler explained that the collection is organized around these themes, offering insights into how artists navigated the era's constraints.

Prominent figures in the exhibition include Horia Bernea, Paul Neagu, and Silvia Radu, whose works capture the spiritual, emotional, and ironic refuge that art provided under the regime. Initially established in Brad, Hunedoara County, the collection now offers a rare glimpse into Romania's cultural field during a transformative period.

The exhibition is divided across two venues within MNAR: the Kretzulescu Rooms, where it runs from September 30 to November 22, and the Museum of Art Collections, hosting it from October 2 to February 16, 2027.