Origins and History of the Museum
The Theodor Aman Museum is located at C.A. Rosetti Street, nr. 8, in Bucharest, Romania. It holds the distinction of being the first museum of art established in the capital. Now a constituent part of the Bucharest Museum, the institution occupies the house where Theodor Aman lived and worked for nearly 22 years.
The building was officially opened as a museum on 16 June 1908. Before its transition to a public institution, the site functioned as the artist's private workshop-residence. This history as a living and creative space remains central to the site's identity within the urban landscape of Bucharest.
The Building and its Architecture
The structure is a unique example of 19th-century neoclassical style, located on C.A. Rosetti Street in Bucharest. The architectural project was implemented by Fr. Scheller between 1867 and 1869. The exterior decorations were executed in collaboration with the sculptor Karl Storck. This residence functioned as the first workshop-residence in Romania, serving as both a living space and a creative studio for the artist.
Inside, the house maintains its original character through various decorative elements. The interior features stained glass, mural paintings, and stucco ceilings. Detailed craftsmanship is evident in the carved medals on the doors, the painted doors, and the carved furniture. The rooms are further defined by wall paneling, stoves, and parquet floors. The building also contains a well-preserved artist's atelier, which remains a central feature of the domestic space.
Artistic Collections and Works
The collection consists of paintings and furniture produced by Theodor Aman. These works encompass a variety of genres, including historical scenes, gender scenes, and Oriental subjects. The artist also produced scenery and still life compositions. The breadth of the output is evident in the scale of the works, which range from large-scale paintings to smaller, intimate pieces. These works are executed through several techniques, specifically easel painting, engraving, and drawing.
A significant portion of the holdings includes romantic paintings. The museum preserves these works alongside the artist's furniture, which was created within his own workshop-residence. The collection reflects a transition in style, blending elements of Romanticism and Academicism with characteristics of early Pre-Impressionism.
- Barbu Catargiu, about 1862
- Portrait of Tudor Vladimirescu, about 1874
- Professor George Capșa at the age of 8, about 1869
- Portrait of Mrs. Fălcoianu, about 1870
- Portrait of Maria Davila, about 1864
- The Battle With Torches, about 1866
Masterpieces of the Collection
The museum holds a significant selection of Theodor Aman's paintings, ranging from intimate portraiture to historical scenes. Among the notable works are the Portrait of Maria Davila, dated about 1864, and the Portrait of Mrs. Fălcoianu from about 1870. These pieces demonstrate the artist's technical precision in capturing individual likenesses. The collection also includes a study of youth in the Professor George Capșa at the age of 8, painted about 1869.
Historical subjects are represented through works such as The Battle With Torches, executed about 1866, and the Portrait of Tudor Vladimirescu, dated about 1874. These paintings reflect the artist's engagement with significant Romanian themes. Additionally, the Barbu Catargiu, painted about 1862, remains a central part of the permanent holdings. The works are displayed within the original workshop-residence, maintaining the context of their creation.
