A Brief Overview of the Romanian Art Market

For many, art represents a refuge, a safe place that — although foreign — offers shelter to the soul in the most unusual ways. The subject of artistic creation remains a topic of interest formultiple fields of research and is an indispensable dimension of life. Beyond these profound aspects, with implications so personal, art must also be understood in its market sense, acontext where these two extremes often conflict. Even so, the history of the art market in Romania is far from boring—in fact, it's full of surprises.

 

One of the most important and recognized art collectors in Romania is Baron Samuel von Brukenthal, governor of Transylvania and one of the greatest art collectors in the entire Habsburg Empire. A great lover of art and travel, Samuel von Brukenthal left behind his collection, which today is the Brukenthal Museum in Sibiu. It was also the scene of one of the most infamous art heists of Communist Romania, where eight paintings were stolen, including: Anton van Dyck's "The Death of Cleopatra," Frans van Mieris the Elder's "Man with Pipe at the Window," Jorg Breu's "Portrait of a Man," and the most valuable piece, Master of the Legend of Saint Augustine's "Man with a Skull," valued at over $25 million.

portret-de-barbat-cu-craniu-maestrul-legendei-sfantului-augustin portret-de-barbat-cu-craniu-maestrul-legendei-sfantului-augustin

PORTRAIT OF A MAN WITH A SKULL, Master of the Saint Augustine legend, oil on wood, 15th century

Alongside Baron von Brukenthal, other renowned collectors who left behind collections that can now be visited include Anastase Simu, the founder of the Simu Museum, the first private art museum in Romania, and Krikor Zambaccian, an essential supporter of Romanian art whose house in Bucharest became the Zambaccian Museum.

The Romanian art market began to take more serious shape in the 19th century, in parallel with the modernization of Romanian society and the formation of a middle class capable of supporting the arts. The first galleries and auction houses appeared at the end of this century, though these initiatives were limited. At that time, art was considered more of a luxury than an investment, and collectors were few, mostly aristocrats or individuals from the political and cultural elite.

Following the communist period, the art market experienced significant growth. In the 1990s, art transactions were still limited, but the first post-communist art auction houses appeared, facilitating the buying and selling of artworks. Later, with Romania's accession to the European Union and its economic development, the market began to grow, becoming increasingly dynamic and diversified, with contemporary art playing an essential role. Notable current art collectors include Sir George Iacobescu and Ovidiu Șandor, founder of the Museum of Recent Art in Bucharest. Numerous auction houses and galleries, including WIN Gallery, also engage in selling paintings from exhibitions.

And of course, no discussion of the Romanian art market would be complete without mentioning the artists themselves. Names like Nicolae Grigorescu, Theodor Aman, and Ștefan Luchian long dominated the top of Romania's most valuable artists, especially in painting. Their works are frequently sold at international and national auctions, fetching considerable sums. Nicolae Tonitza is another essential name, ranking among the top-selling Romanian artists, known for the sensitivity of his portraits.

Beyond these canonical names of Romanian art, contemporary artists have forcefully debuted on the market, continuing to make waves among art enthusiasts. Important names include Victor Man, Mircea Cantor, and Șerban Savu, all internationally awarded, with works featured in the Romanian Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale. Artists rising in prominence include Laurențiu Midvichi, Sorin Otînjac, and Daniela Grapă.

Undoubtedly, one of the most prominent names in the ultra-contemporary Romanian art market remains Adrian Ghenie. The Romanian artist has redefined Romanian art on the global stage, with his works being highly sought after at major international auctions, where their prices have risen spectacularly. Christie’s reports approximately $10.3 million for the auction of the monumental painting "Pie Fight Interior 12"—a record that places Adrian Ghenie at the forefront of the most expensive European artists. In 2016, his work "The Sunflowers in 1937" sold for £4.5 million at Sotheby’s. Artistically, his expressionist style, with complex and often political themes that transform the surface of his paintings into both inherent political manifestos and personal interpretations of the reality we live in, are the strong points that attract buyers from around the world.

Portrait of Adrian Ghenie by Oliver Mark, Berlin 2014

Romania's art market has evolved steadily, becoming increasingly appreciated and recognized globally. The presence of contemporary artists like Adrian Ghenie, as well as newer, promising names like Laurențiu Midvichi, has solidified Romania's position on the international scene. Although the market is still developing, its potential is immense, and interest in art—both classical and contemporary—continues to grow.

Ph.D. Researcher Andrei FĂȘIE

PIE FIGHT INTERIOR, Adrian Ghenie, 2014

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