Chisinau marks 150 years since Queen Maria’s birth with an exhibition of 150 artworks
An exhibition commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Romania's only sovereign, Queen Maria, has opened at the National Museum of History of Moldova. The exhibition features 150 works of art created by 15 Romanian artists. For one month, visitors will have the opportunity to admire a clothing collection inspired by Queen Maria's wardrobe—a series of dresses that showcase her unmistakable charm and elegance, highlighted by their exquisite details.
At the official opening of the exhibition, a segment of the play "Queen Mary's Heart" was performed by Romanian-Canadian actress Claudia Motea.
"Look, look at me! I didn’t come with a retinue; I didn’t come with guards. I came only with my heart."
"Queen Mary exists within each of us. I mean, first and foremost, in the feminine heart because Queen Mary is not only a national symbol; she is a universal feminine icon. We find our community in her, and at the same time, we discover our nobility as well as our inner and outer beauty," stated actress Claudia Motea.
The Handmade Art Academy in Bucharest is hosting a special exhibition that includes a unique piece: the Queen's favorite perfume.
"We have a perfume that belonged to her, created by a perfume house in France with notes of Indian violets and imperial lily, which were the Queen's favorites. This exhibition concept is something that we alone have presented worldwide," emphasized Mioara Iofciulescu, founder of the Handmade Art Academy in Bucharest.
To recreate the aristocratic atmosphere of the early 20th century, the exhibition features refurbished pieces of furniture. Additionally, to highlight Queen Maria's passion for nature and flowers, floral arrangements and decorations were beautifully displayed.
"The collection showcases something truly stunning. Not to mention the collection of Queen Maria's exquisite dresses," said Iofciulescu.
"When you enter the hall, it feels as though you have been teleported to the interwar period. As I look around at the clothing from that era, it's as if I see characters from various novels, plays, and shows," she added.
"We evoke a unique and luminous personality from our Romanian history—Queen Maria. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of this emblematic figure in Romania's modern and contemporary history," declared Vlad Vornic, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture.
The exhibition will be open to visitors until January 4, 2026. Later, the exhibits will move to Pelișor Castle, where the heart of Queen Maria is also laid to rest.
