On Thursday evening, February 19, 2026, in the heart of Rome, at Mercati di Traiano – the first museum of ancient architecture in the world, the exhibition dedicated to Constantin Brâncusi opened, 150 years after his birth.
exhibition “Constantin Brâncuși: The Origins of Infinity” is organized within the Romania-Italy 2026 Cultural Year calendar, developed and promoted by the Romanian Embassy in Italy and carried out with the support of the Romanian Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense, under the High Patronage of the Presidents of Romania and Italy. Curated by the National Art Museum of Romania, in partnership with the National Art Museum in Craiova and the Gorj “Alexandru Ștefulescu” County Museum, the initiative is also part of the official celebrations dedicated to the 150 years since the birth of Constantin Brâncusi (1876–1957), one of the founding figures of modern sculpture.
Gabriela Dancău, Romanian Ambassador to Italy, Claudio Parisi Presicce, Director General responsible for the Cultural Heritage of Rome, Filippo la Rosa, Deputy Director General for Public and Cultural Diplomacy within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, who delivered a message from the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riccardo Guariglia, Federico Mollicone, President of the Committee for Culture in the Chamber of Deputies and Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome spoke at the opening of the event.
We were particularly honored by the message of the President of Romania, HE Nicusor Dantransmitted by the presidential adviser Diana Iancu, present at the event: “With certainty, there cannot be “infinite” art, nor sustainable civilization or stable political order without truth, without discernment, without trust, without due respect for people, for the hierarchy of ethical and moral values. Brâncusi speaks to the whole world about an authentic and living Romania, which honors traditions while confidently looking to the future. The “Constantin Brâncusi: Originile Infinitului” exhibition in Rome reconfirms the prestigious place that Romanian culture occupies in Europe and opens new perspectives for the cultivation of historical, cultural and diplomatic ties between Romania and Italy.”
In his intervention, the Romanian ambassador Gabriela Dancau highlighted the symbolic significance of the Mercati di Traiano space as an expression of European historical continuity and emphasized the solidity of the Romanian-Italian partnership, consolidated through political dialogue and strategic cooperation based on common values. He also showed that the Romania-Italy Cultural Year 2026 confirms the maturity of the bilateral relationship and the common commitment for a Europe of values, and the exhibition dedicated to Constantin Brâncusi reflects the deep dialogue between Romanian tradition and Roman classicism, reaffirming culture as a bridge between past and future.
Federico Molliconethe president of the Committee for Culture in the Chamber of Deputies, emphasized the cultural importance of the project and the significance of the celebration of 150 years since the artist’s birth, within the Romania-Italy Cultural Year 2026.
Present at the inauguration, The Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri pointed out that the exhibition dedicated to Constantin Brâncuși at the Musei dei Mercati di Traiano creates a dialogue between classical art and Brâncusi modernism. He welcomed the initiative to open the exhibition free of charge to Romanian and Moldovan citizens, as a recognition of the contribution of these communities to the host society, celebrating the common heritage and European ties.
Erwin Kesslerthe curator of the exhibition and director of the National Art Museum of Romania in Bucharest, conducted a guided tour of the exhibition for the guests present, where they admired masterpieces such as The Prayer, Mademoiselle Pogany, Prometheus, Torso and the Chair from the Table of Silence series, emblematic works that illustrate Brâncuși’s artistic evolution and his continuous search for the perfect form.
The exhibition was received as a warm and sincere embrace by a large public, who opened their eyes, full of curiosity and delight, in front of the exhibited works. Representatives of the institutions of the host country were present – parliamentarians, representatives of the presidency, of the government, diplomats, personalities from the artistic and performing arts, from the research, entrepreneurial and religious environment, as well as from Romania – the president of the Dolj County Council, Cosmin Vasile, and the director of the National Art Museum in Craiova, Laurențiu Barbu. The value of Brâncusi’s works is also that those who admire them interpret, in their own way, the essence of the world that surrounds us.
An evening in which Romania was the protagonistby the way he gave the world art of universal value, which transcends borders. High respect and fraternity were expressed towards our country, towards its institutions and its community – the most numerous of all the communities of foreigners in Rome and in Italy, in a spirit of mutual recognition and appreciation.
The exhibition is open to the public between February 20 and July 19, 2026, and Romanian and Moldovan citizens benefit from free access. Visitors have access to an audio guide in English, Italian and Romanian.
Photo: Nicu Floroaica
