The only Van Gogh from Romania is exhibited for the first time at Art Safari New Museum, from May 9
Art Safari New Museum announces the opening of the exhibition The recovered collection. Slătineanu's storywhich brings to the public the only work signed by Vincent van Gogh located in Romania. The exhibition can be visited between May 9 and July 19, 2026, in Amzei 13.
“The Slătineanu collection is one of the most valuable and least known art collections in our country. The fact that it was returned, after decades, by the Romanian state to the Slătineanu collecting family, is, in itself, an extraordinary story. We wanted to tell it properly by dedicating an entire exhibition that has as its central element the only work signed by Van Gogh found in Romania” – Ioana Ciocan, Managing Partner Art Safari.
More than 100 works of plastic art and valuable objects from the Slătineanu collection are presented: European and Romanian works of art, popular ceramics, weapons, jewelry, decorative objects and archaeological pieces, organized in two large sections – the collection established by Alexandru Slătineanu and the one established by his son, Barbu.
The story of the only Van Gogh from Romania
The centerpiece of the exhibition is “The Carrot Picker”made in charcoal on paper and dated 1885. It was purchased around 1900 by the doctor and collector Alexandru Slătineanu, then a doctoral student in Paris and passionate art connoisseur, directly from the famous art dealer Ambroise Vollard, in his gallery in Rue Laffitte no. 6, Paris. The same merchant who had launched Picasso and Cézanne and who contributed decisively to the recognition of Van Gogh's work after the artist's death.
The work was made in the Dutch countryside at the end of the 19th century, near the town of Nuenen, where the artist lived between 1883 and 1885. During that time, Van Gogh was deeply fascinated by the life and work of the peasants, whom he watched and immortalized during their daily activities. The way the work was done is dark, with firm lines in charcoal on paper, a far cry from the vibrant colors he later became known for. Slătineanu, a good connoisseur of art, immediately noticed Van Gogh's touch and realized the value of the work.
When the doctor returned to Romania in 1902, the work arrived in the country and remained in the family collection. After the death of Alexandru Slătineanu, the collection continued to be developed and managed by his son, Barbu, and his wife, Alexandra, herself a sculptor.
Alexandru Slătineanu, outstanding personality of Romanian medicine
Alexandru Slătineanu was a bacteriologist, epidemiologist and university professor. After studies in Paris and specializations at the Pasteur Institute, under the guidance of Ilia Mecinikov and alongside Ion Cantacuzino, he returned to the country to lay the foundations of modern research in microbiology. He worked as a professor at the Department of Bacteriology and held the position of rector of the Mihăilene University between 1923 and 1926. He actively participated in the fight against cholera epidemics during the Second Balkan War and the First World War, attaining the rank of colonel.
His passion for collecting developed in Paris, where he frequented Parisian auctions and antique shops with his friend Ion Cantacuzino. On his return to Romania, his collection of European art arrived in his house in Cotroceni, along with paintings, engravings, decorative art objects, weapons and antiques.
About Art Safari New Museum
Art Safari New Museum is held under the High Patronage of the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, and is organized by Centrul Cultural Art Society, a public utility foundation, and realized in partnership with the City Hall of Sector 1. Art Safari New Museum is supported by Banca Transilvania, Glo, Voxility, Mastercard, Regina Maria, Lidl, Porsche, Catena, Policolor, Carpet and More, Lindab, Epson and others and specializes in creating exhibition pavilions of visual art and history national.
Annual organizer of the Bucharest Art Pavilion, now in its 18th edition, realizes, in partnership with Romanian and international art museums, as well as with private collectors, retrospective exhibitions that aim to recover heritage values and contemporary art exhibitions. With a strong educational side, its mission is to bring art closer to the public and educate new generations, including by organizing art workshops, guided tours and contemporary art exhibitions in unconventional spaces (such as the Bucharest metro). In the 17 editions so far, it has registered over 1 million visitors. More details on artsafari.ro.
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