FROM SEPTEMBER 30th 2020
THEMATIC EXHIBITION AT THE SUȚU PALACE
REMEMBER CORNEL MEDREA. MENTOR AND MASTER
Continuing the series of exhibitions organized by the Art Department, the Cornel Medrea Art Collection is inviting its general public for a reminder of what meant the cultural heritage left by this master of fine arts. The exhibition entitled Remember Cornel Medrea. Mentor and Master will open starting with September 23rd 2020 at Suțu Palace.
The artist Cornel Medrea (1888-1964) is internationally recognized for his sculpture having realistic tendencies and endless references to ancient art. His name is associated with modern Romanian art, for the similitude to Aristide Maillol, but also for preserving the national specific full of artistic savvy.
Longevity, introspection and mastery bestowed the master the opportunity to create works according to the prevailing feeling of the era he was going through. The defining artistic moments are well highlighted by an evolution of the style that alternates with the major influences, whether of historical or personal nature: The Refugee (1917), a ronde-bosse work with expressionist tendencies, becomes a symbol of World War I, The Thorn (1935), an expressive nude, contemplates inter-war calm and the tendency of classical values, and later The Infinite (1958) forms the vision of the new human, an exponent of socialist realism. The exhibition will reflect the 50 years of painter’s creation by exhibiting an impressive and unique work, My life – the unfinished work by Cornel Medrea, which is crowning his entire artistic vision. These are just some of the works one may admire starting on September 30th 2020.
A well-known personality of the Romanian art during his life, fallen into oblivion today, we owe Cornel Medrea the first sculpture museum in Romania. Between 1933 and 1964, the sculptor was a professor at the Sculpture and Modeling Department of the School of Fine Arts, where he educated future great personalities of the Romanian sculpture.
Through the agency of this event, we are inviting the public to a process of remembrance.
By reminding a national artist, a memorable art collection, and the first sculpture museum in Romania, we want to reassure the public that this collection will regain its sap and energy, but the important role it plays in the existence of the metropolis of Bucharest as well. Also, the exhibition aims to extend the educational process in which the artist and teacher Cornel Medrea believed so much, and that, finally, acquires a future.
Felicia Raetzky