The only Van Gogh in a Romanian museum collection

The charcoal drawing “The Carrot Picker” by Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890), the only work by the artist in a Romanian museum collection, was bought by Alexandru Slătineanu in 1900, when he was preparing his PhD thesis at the Pasteur Institute in Paris.

The artwork, made in 1885 and purchased from the art dealer Ambroise Vollard, is in the Museum of Art Collections. It is part of the “Alexandra and Barbu Slătineanu” comparative art collection.

It has been titled by the artist, according to the artist’s autograph in pencil: „Arracheuse de carottes (Hiver)” – „Culegătoare de morcovi (Iarna)”.

Alexandru Slătineanu (1873 – 1939), bacteriologist and hygienist, held important positions in the Ministry of Public Health. Together with Dr. Ion Cantacuzino, he made an important contribution to the study and eradication of tuberculosis.

During his studies in microbiology at Pasteur Institute in Paris, he became interested in fine arts, especially in graphics (engraving), initiated by his friend, Dr. Ion Cantacuzino. He bought various objects, pieces of furniture and decorative art objects from antique dealers, with which he created in the house in the “Nest with stork” neighborhood (located in the area of Știrbei Voda Boulevard) the refined atmosphere in which various personalities of the time gathered for discussions on literature and art, as explained by specialists from the Collections Museum.

The collection that remains in State ownership includes works by Nicolae Grigorescu, Ștefan Luchian, Adam Bălțatu, Rodica Maniu, Ștefan Popescu, Theodor Pallady, Dimitrie Ghiață, Max W. Arnold, Vincent van Gogh, Armand Guillaumin, Constantin Guys, icons from Russia, Romania and Transylvania, pieces of furniture of great stylistic diversity, painted earthenware apothecary’s vessels made in Italy, various objects of practical utility and some oriental flints and swords.