The K. H. Zambaccian Museum in Bucharest is one of the most important and popular Romanian museums, with a rich collection of over 300 works of art, ranging from paintings to sculptures and furniture. This collection was born out of the passion of a single man, a rich merchant and devote collector called Krikor Zambaccian (1889 - 1962). With great skill and luck for business, Zambaccian would later prove to be a passionate collector, with a keen eye for special art and tallented artists.
Zambaccian was born in 1889, in Constanta, and starting with 1907 he studied Commerce in Anvers and Paris. It was there that he discovered the fascinating world of contemporary art, being close to several important artists of his time, such as Matisse, Dufy, Derain, Bonnard and others. Also, these artists helped him meet important art dealers and collectors, as well as giving him a larger understanding of new art. Although he could have remained in France, Zambaccian decided to return to Bucharest, for two main reasons. First of all, Romania promissed to be an interesting market for his business. But more than that, Bucharest was called "little Paris", it was a vivid city, with a bohemian society of great importance, and Zambaccian had the chance of meeting and befriending several artists, writers and journalists of those times. Rich enough to be able to afford any artwork, he had the inspiration of collecting Romanian art, signed by already established masters and new voices in painting. Zambaccian became famous not only for his resiliance in buying a painting that he liked but also for his tallent in discovering new future masters. Also, the merchant and collector didn't hesitate to provide his support to the artists that he liked and would even use his own home as an exhibition space. To house his works of art he biult a brand new house, in 1930 (further expanded in 1957), the work of C.D. Galin, a famous Romanian interwar architect. It was in this very house that the first museum was givern birth.
In 1946, much to everyone's surprise, Zambaccian decided to donate the house and all of his collection to the Romanian state. At that point, he had 310 works in his posession : 165 paintigns, 71 graphic works, 40 sculptures, 16 pieces of furniture, all of them of great artistic and cultural value. It was an impressive sacrifice for a collector, but in no small degree assured his imunity against the abuses of the Communist regime. The legend of interwar Bucharest, one of the greatest and most popular collectors that Romania ever had, decided that his life's work must be discovered and admired by all of the future generations. Some of the works were presented to the public, in the new museum, early in 1947.
The Zambaccian collection is interesting for art lovers and especially for specialists, for it is a comprehensive presentation of the history of Romanian art, starting with the middle of the 19th century to the middle of the next century, showcasing the best of the best. The names featured in the collection are by themselves a recommandation Nicolae Grigorescu, Ioan Andreescu, Stefan Luchian, Jean Al. Steriadi, Gheorghe Petrascu, Nicolae Tonitza, Nicolae Darascu, Theodor Pallady, Iosif Iser, Corneliu Baba, Alexandru Ciucurencu, Horia Damian, Alexandru Padina, Ion Tuculescu and others. These are only featured in the painting and graphics sections, for there are also sculptures Dimitrie Paciurea, Oscar Han, Corneliu Medrea, Ion Jalea or Constantin Brancusi. This impressive selection is further completed by a small treasure, 19 works of famous French painters, such as Delacroix, Corot, Renoir, Pissarro, Sisley, Cezanne, Bonnard, Utrillo, Marquet, Matisse.
Starting with 1978, the Zambaccian Collection was exhibited at the Collections of Art Museum in Bucharest, as the original house was badly damaged in the teryfing earthquake of 1977. It would be only in 1996 that the museum reopened in the original location, after a long delay, bringing the Zambaccian collection once again into the public eye.
The Zambaccian Collection and the man himself grew to be an important part of Bucharest's cultural and imaginary legacy, a legend and a major episode in it's history.
The Zambaccian Museum can be found on Muzeul Zambaccian Street, no. 21A, Bucharest and it's opened from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10.00 to 19.00. It is sure to be an unforgetable experience.
Photo : mnar.arts.ro
November 2007
