Contemplate the walls that surround us here at the Theodor Pallady Museum. This building whispers stories of art and history. The Theodor Pallady Museum stands as a testament to Bucharest’s rich cultural heritage. It is housed in one of the city’s oldest surviving merchant houses.
Built in the second half of the 18th century, the house is named after Iacob Melik. He was its most illustrious owner. The house itself is a piece of history. It showcases traditional Romanian architecture. Notice the upstairs porch enclosed with glass. Admire the wooden interior staircase. Take in the wide eaves roof.
Originally, the house likely belonged to an important Romanian figure. Later, it was bought by Kevork Nazaretoglu, a wealthy Armenian merchant. He renovated it in 1822. He preserved the main walls. His granddaughter married Iacob Melik. Melik restored the house to its original style.
The museum holds a remarkable collection of paintings by Theodor Pallady. It also features over 800 drawings. These drawings include landscapes, nudes, portraits, and interiors. They represent his Parisian period. The drawings are exhibited in thematic series.
The museum’s collection comes from Serafina and Gheorghe Raut. It includes European paintings from the 16th to 19th centuries. You will find French, Dutch, English, Spanish, and Romanian works. There are also ancient Greco-Roman sculptures. Egyptian and Indian art is present too. You can also view French and Italian Renaissance sculptures. Textiles, furniture pieces, and oriental ceramics are also highlights. This diversity provides a perspective on Romanian and European art history.
Theodor Pallady was born in Iasi in 1871. He studied engineering in Dresden. At the same time, he studied art with Erwin Oehme. Oehme recognized Pallady’s talent. Pallady moved to Paris to enroll in the Academy of Fine Arts. He opened his own studio there. Pallady traveled between Romania and France. He built a network of friends among artists and intellectuals. He became a renowned Romanian painter. In 1940, he moved to Bucharest. After his death in 1956, he was buried at Bellu Cemetery.
Melik House has a troubled history. It was abandoned in 1857. A fire damaged it in 1913. Yet, it still impresses visitors with its architecture and charm. It was renovated in 1970 and 2009. It still retains its original style.
Many people pass by the Theodor Pallady Museum daily. They may not notice its beauty. The house invites everyone to admire its exhibits. Its architecture, artful interior, paintings, and furnishings impress all.
Theodor Pallady Museum is a branch of the National Museum of Art. It centers on the works of Theodor Pallady. It resides in Melik House. It is the oldest private building still standing in Bucharest. Melik House sheltered revolutionaries in its attic in 1848. Iacub Melik was exiled for this. He returned nine years later to find the house ruined.
The Armenian community used the house as a shelter until 1947. In the late 1960s, Gheorghe and Serafina Raut donated their art collection. They requested it be displayed in a museum. The Theodor Pallady Museum opened in Melik House after renovations in 1970. The Theodor Pallady Museum provides a glimpse into the world of art and history.