Taste, refinement and socialising in early 20th century Bucharest

Exhibition hosted by the Filipescu-Cesianu Museum aims to reconstruct life in early 20th century Bucharest.

Ion Puican, 07.12.2024, 14:00

Hosted by the Filipescu-Cesianu Museum in Bucharest, the exhibition entitled “Taste, refinement and socialising in early 20^th century Bucharest” is aimed at reconstructing fragment of daily life, namely the dining ritual, among the Bucharest elite under the influence of profound cultural transformations, between the strict ceremony from before the First World War to the more relaxed approach from the inter-war period.

Andreea Mâniceanu, one of the curators of the exhibition, told us more the rules of etiquette among the Bucharest society at the start of the 20^th century: “In the first part of the 20^th century, the etiquette and lifestyle of the Bucharest high society were marked by a series of distinct elements, such as the western influence, for many of its members were educated abroad, especially in France, which led to the adoption of western manners and lifestyle. The fashion, the architecture and social habits all reflected these tendencies.”

Andreea Mâniceanu also spoke to us about the fashion of the day:  “The Bucharest high society also paid special attention to clothing. Men used to wear elegant suits after the latest fashion inspired by the trends in western Europe, while women used to wear very elegant dresses, often created by fashion houses. Moreover, the balls and receptions were important opportunities for showing off this elegance.”

The exhibition also shows the public the lifestyle of the Bucharest high society in the first half of the 20^th century in terms of habitation and social life: “The residence of the Bucharest high society in the first part of the 20^th century were often located in central areas like Calea Victoriei and Cotroceni and had an eclectic architecture that combined Neoclassical, Art Nouveau and Romanian Revival styles. Their residents attended balls, receptions and dinners given at the Royal Palace and other sumptuous residences. The cafes, clubs and fancy restaurants like Capșa were meeting places for politicians, aristocrats and artists. The exhibition ‘Taste, Refinement and Socialising’ explores the transition and mutual influences between lifestyle and living space in the pre-war and interwar periods, emphasizing the dynamic between exterior and interior. In the pre-war period, the aristocratic lifestyle was defined by opulence and a sophistication that was visible in the architecture and interior design of homes. There was a strong external influence, especially regarding the interior design of spaces inspired by Western models and artistic trends such as the Baroque. The houses reflected a lifestyle oriented towards show and social status, and the interior spaces were designed to impress guests. The furniture, decorations and materials used in the pre-war houses expressed this relationship of continuity between exterior and interior grandeur. Through this alternation between exterior-interior and interior-exterior dynamics, the exhibition emphasizes how the social and economic changes of the two periods influenced the perception and organization of the home space in the pre-war period. The interior space was a reflection of the exterior world, social hierarchies and etiquette, while in the interwar period interior changes in everyday life and aesthetic preferences began to shape the way in which exterior space was perceived and organized.”

Andreea Mâniceanu also tells us about the cultural life of the era: “The Bucharest elite also had a close connection with the cultural scene. Opera, theater and art exhibitions were appreciated by this social class. Moreover, patronage of art and literature was a way for elites to display their prestige.”

How does the exhibition at Casa Filipescu-Cesianu present the dynamics of transformations in Bucharest society in the first half of the 20^th century? “The exhibition ‘Taste, refinement and socializing in early 20^th century Bucharest conveys the message of an evolution from a society centered on status and show to a functional, individualistic one, where privacy and personal comfort begin to prevail over ostentation and social grandeur.” (CM, LS)