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Marius Bunescu (15 May 1881 – 31 March 1971) was a 
He began his long administrative career in 1920, becoming director of the Anastase Simu Museum, and later, after the death of the art collector in 1935, of the Simu Memorial House. In 1921, Bunescu participated in the establishment of the , being elected secretary, and from 1923 to 1927 he was president of the union. He received the National Prize for Painting in 1938, and in 1940 he was awarded the , Knight rank. In 1941 he was awarded the Order of the Crown, Commander rank. In 1944 he wrote a biographical study of Anastase Simu. Two years later, Bunescu was the chief force behind the initiative to open an art gallery at the high school in Caracal; the gallery now bears his name. In 1949 he took over the management of the Picture Gallery at the National Museum of Art. In 1967 he was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, 1st class.
He was married to Magda (1895–1974), and had two sons, Preda (who defected to Germany, and worked at 
Bunescu died in
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...
n painter, organizer of the National Museum of Art, and director of the Anastase Simu Museum.
Bunescu was born in Caracal, Romanați County, the son of Ioniță Bunea, a craftsman. His first artistic training was with Dimitrie Hârlescu in Constanța
Constanța (, , ) is a city in the Dobruja Historical regions of Romania, historical region of Romania. A port city, it is the capital of Constanța County and the country's Cities in Romania, fourth largest city and principal port on the Black ...
from 1904 to 1906, after which he went to study at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich
Munich is the capital and most populous city of Bavaria, Germany. As of 30 November 2024, its population was 1,604,384, making it the third-largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. Munich is the largest city in Germany that is no ...
, where he worked with Hermann Groeber. He made his debut in 1911 at the Official Salon in Bucharest
Bucharest ( , ; ) is the capital and largest city of Romania. The metropolis stands on the River Dâmbovița (river), Dâmbovița in south-eastern Romania. Its population is officially estimated at 1.76 million residents within a greater Buc ...
, and he had his first personal exhibit in 1919, at the Minerva Library. In 1924 he exhibited some of his paintings at the Romanian pavilion, during the Venice Biennale arts festival; he returned for exhibits at the Biennale in 1942 and 1954.
He began his long administrative career in 1920, becoming director of the Anastase Simu Museum, and later, after the death of the art collector in 1935, of the Simu Memorial House. In 1921, Bunescu participated in the establishment of the , being elected secretary, and from 1923 to 1927 he was president of the union. He received the National Prize for Painting in 1938, and in 1940 he was awarded the , Knight rank. In 1941 he was awarded the Order of the Crown, Commander rank. In 1944 he wrote a biographical study of Anastase Simu. Two years later, Bunescu was the chief force behind the initiative to open an art gallery at the high school in Caracal; the gallery now bears his name. In 1949 he took over the management of the Picture Gallery at the National Museum of Art. In 1967 he was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, 1st class.
He was married to Magda (1895–1974), and had two sons, Preda (who defected to Germany, and worked at Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a media organization broadcasting news and analyses in 27 languages to 23 countries across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. Headquartered in Prague since 1995, RFE/RL ...
), and Udrea (a doctor who later left for Belgium).
Bunescu died in Bucharest
Bucharest ( , ; ) is the capital and largest city of Romania. The metropolis stands on the River Dâmbovița (river), Dâmbovița in south-eastern Romania. Its population is officially estimated at 1.76 million residents within a greater Buc ...
in 1971 and is buried in the Romanian Orthodox Bellu Cemetery.
He and his paintings appear on several stamps issued by Poșta Română: ''Venice'' paintings (1.55 and 6.40 lei, 1972), ''Construction Area'' painting (20 bani, 1973), Portrait (2.15 lei, 1981), ''Danube at the Cazan'' painting (2.80 lei, 2019).
References
External links
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bunescu, Marius 1881 births 1971 deaths People from Caracal, Romania Academy of Fine Arts, Munich alumni 20th-century Romanian painters Recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit (Romania) Commanders of the Order of the Crown (Romania) Burials at Bellu Cemetery