Romanian art on sale at 19th century European painting auction in New York

Two paintings by Romanian masters Nicolae Tonitza and Nicolae Grigorescu will go on auction at Bonhams’ 19th Century European Paintings sale in New York, on May 3. Both paintings used to be part of the collection of Roy Melbourne, a political attaché to the American Embassy in Bucharest between 1946 and 1948. A portrait of a Young Girl (featured in the opening photo) by Nicolae Tonitza has an estimated price of USD 20,000-30,000. Tonitza enjoyed painting children, his own as well as those of his friends and relatives, and following them from a very young age through different stages of maturity. He was greatly inspired by Post-Impressionism and Expressionist art, and is credited with infusing new life into the Romanian art scene at the beginning of the 20th century. Danube Guard by Nicolae Grigorescu is also estimated at USD 20,000-30,000.

The painting was made during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-78, the year Romania obtained its independence from the Ottoman Empire, after 400 years of occupation. Romanian troops fought alongside the Russian ones and Grigorescu accompanied the troops as an artist-reporter. He made hundreds of sketches along the way, and he later used them as the basis of a series of oil paintings, including Danube Guard. Bonhams was founded in 1793, and is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewelry. It has salerooms in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with sales also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. Two paintings by Romanian Adrian Ghenie sell for USD 2.7 mln at London auction Grigorescu painting sells for record EUR 320,000 at Bucharest auction editor@romania-insider.com (Photos: Bonhams)