On Nov. 3, 1926, Queen Marie of Romania dedicated Maryhill Museum of Art. To honor the 80th anniversary of that occasion, the museum will present a special exhibition, "A People's Legacy: Romanian Folk Life through Dress, Textiles and Arts," from March 15 through Nov. 15.
"Despite a century of political turmoil, the beauty and spirit of Romanian folk life has survived," said Betty Long-Schleif, curator. "This exhibition features colorful traditional clothing, household textiles and folk art from the museum's comprehensive permanent collection, and is complemented by objects from several other museum collections from across the United States."
Today over 90 areas of distinct folk cultures exist in Romania -- a blend of native expression and influence from a diverse group of people including the Romans, Saxons, Turks, Armenians, Bulgarians, Hungarians, and Ukrainians.
A highlight of the exhibit is the replicated room interior of an early 20th century Romanian home. Objects featured include traditional household goods such as rugs, blankets, furniture, pottery and more. Of particular significance is a collection of historic Romanian ceramics originally given to Maryhill Museum by Queen Marie when she visited in 1926.
In Romania, ceramic objects were often used to honor life's important events such as birth, baptism, and marriage. Often a young woman would show her wealth by piling up her pottery dowry in windows and outside the front door.
These pieces are typical of the Transylvanian region of Romania.
The exhibit also features colorful traditional clothing from throughout Romania including women's skirts, blouses and fine headdresses, and men's vests, jackets, shirts, headdresses and trousers.
Much of the clothing presented is handmade and many of the garments include embellishments that utilize diverse techniques characteristic of the region of Romania where they were made.
One particularly fine example in the exhibit is a woman's outfit showing the early influence of the Ottoman Empire. Typical of the Oltenia region of Romania, the heavily pleated wool skirt is adorned with woven designs of fine metal strips. The blouse has fine embroidered bands that are typical of the region and the delicate headdress is handwoven silk.
There is a significant Romanian community in Portland, Ore., and in recognition of that, last year, the U.S. State Department approved opening Oregon's first honorary Romanian Consulate.
"This exhibit represents the cultural soul of a very proud and industrious people. It's appeal transcends people of Romanian descent to everyone interested in art and history in general and specifically the late 20th century," said James Rudd, Romanian Honorary Consul in Portland. "We're very excited about the Romania folk art exhibit at Maryhill Museum and encourage everyone to attend."
Other institutions loaning objects for the exhibition include the Duquesne University, Pittsburg, Pa., Kent State University Museum, Kent, Ohio, Henry Art Gallery, Seattle, Yakima Valley Museum, Yakima, and the Fort Dalles Museum, The Dalles.
The museum also has a large permanent exhibit featuring Queen Marie's life and legacy. Highlighting the last golden age of royalty, the Queen Marie collection includes personal possessions including a stylized court gown, Faberge, furniture, and jewelry given to the Queen by her grandmother Queen Victoria of England.
Some of the museum's Russian icons and Romanian textiles were also gifts to Maryhill through Queen Marie.
Queen Marie of Romania (1875-1938), largely forgotten now, was one of the most influential people in the early 20th century. Known throughout the world for her charm and beauty, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England and Tsar Alexander II of Russia, Marie became a heroine for the Allies in World War I.
The Queen, along with her son Prince Nicholas and daughter Princess Ileana made a 37-day excursion across North America by train reaching Maryhill on Nov. 2, 1926.
Upon her arrival, she was greeted by thousands who had traveled miles to see the renowned Queen.
"In celebration of Queen Marie's visit and dedication of the museum, everyone is invited to join us on May 13 and 14 for a Romanian Art and Culture Festival," said Colleen Schafroth, executive director. "There will be traditional folk art demonstrations, musical performances, children's activities and much more."
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