Great Britain’s King Charles III stopped on Monday, September 29, by The King’s Foundation’s exhibition space in London to see its newest exhibition, ‘Marie of Romania, Artist Queen’, organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR), The King’s Foundation announced on Facebook.
The exhibition includes Queen Marie’s lithographs and the Transylvania Florilegium collection, a project commissioned by The King as Prince of Wales and created by an international team of botanical artists between 2012 and 2016.
The King’s Foundation runs a range of charitable projects in Romania, “reflecting His Majesty’s longstanding affection for this country and his deep interest in its landscape, biodiversity and cultural heritage,” shows the text published on Facebook, which is accompanied by video images from King Charles III’s visit.
“This exhibition represents a remarkable moment for Romania and the United Kingdom alike. Queen Marie is a cultural and diplomatic bridge personality between the two countries, and the display of her creations in London, in dialogue with the botanical works commissioned by King Charles, provides a unique perspective on the royal and artistic heritage. We are honored and thrilled to be able to carry out this project,” said Aura Woodward, director of the Romanian Cultural Institute in London and former executive director of the charitable foundation of His Majesty King Charles in Romania.
“This exceptional exhibition hosted by the Foundation of His Majesty King Charles III represents a celebration of a deep historical connection. Queen Marie made a decisive contribution to Romania’s international recognition and strengthened relations with Great Britain. Today, this artistic and diplomatic project reaffirms the friendship and mutual respect between our countries. It is a reason of particular pride to see His Majesty King Charles III’s affection for Romania, as well as his constant support for the conservation of our country’s biodiversity and cultural heritage,” said Laura Popescu, Romania’s ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The exhibition ‘Marie of Romania, Artist Queen’ showcases copies of Queen Marie’s floral watercolors preserved in the manuscripts of the Romanian Academy, ICR London said in a release. “The Queen’s works engage into a vivid visual dialogue with the floral watercolours from the ‘Transylvania Florilegium’ collection, a project commissioned by King Charles III, which presents renditions of rare flowers from Romania, signed by guest artists. They are joined by two works by His Majesty King Charles himself, depicting rural landscapes from Romania,” the text says.
The exhibition is curated by art historian Dr. Shona Kallestrup of St Andrews University, and historian and collector Sorin Margarit.
Queen Marie of Romania (1875 – 1938), granddaughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, was one of the most charismatic royal personalities of the early 20th century. Artist, writer and statesperson, she played a key role in the international recognition of Greater Romania at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, after the First World War.
The exhibition, which marks the 150th anniversary of Queen Marie’s birth, opened on September 18, and can be visited for free at The King’s Foundation Garrison Chapel in Chelsea, London, until October 12.
