Henric Sanielevici was a Romanian journalist and literary critic, also remembered for his work in anthropology, ethnography, sociology and zoology. Initially a militant socialist from the political-philosophical circle of Constantin Dobrogeanu-Gherea, he incorporated other influences and, in 1905, created his own literary review, Curentul Nou. Sanielevici and his friend Garabet Ibrăileanu were among the founders of "Poporanism", a peasant-oriented and left-wing movement. However, Sanielevici soon detached himself from both Marxism and agrarianism, criticizing Romanian traditionalist literature, and prophesying a Neoclassicism for the working men. His heated polemic with the rival school of Sămănătorul journal isolated him from the other Poporanists, whom he eventually denounced as "reactionaries". More controversy surrounded his ambiguous attitudes during World War I.
Henric Sanielevici's portrait, published along with his books in the 1920s. Attached are Sanielevici's self-measurements, which, he claimed, proved he was of the "Dinaric race"
Socialist reunion in Bucharest, 1892, with Constantin Dobrogeanu-Gherea and Constantin Mille in the foreground. Henric Sanielevici is in the fourth row, third from the right; on his sides are poet Ion Păun-Pincio (right) and journalist Henric Streitman. Simion Sanielevici is same row, seventh from the right
From right: Garabet Ibrăileanu, Constantin Stere and their Viața Românească colleague Ion Botez, ca. 1905
Romanian prisoners' convoy in Bulgaria, 1920 drawing by Nicolae Tonitza
Sămănătorul or Semănătorul was a literary and political magazine published in Romania between 1901 and 1910. Founded by poets Alexandru Vlahuță and George Coșbuc, it is primarily remembered as a tribune for early 20th century traditionalism, neoromanticism and ethnic nationalism. The magazine's ideology, commonly known as Sămănătorism or Semănătorism, was articulated after 1905, when historian and literary theorist Nicolae Iorga became editor in chief. While its populism, critique of capitalism and emphasis on peasant society separated it from other conservative groups, Sămănătorul shared views with its main conservative predecessor, the Junimea society, particularly in expressing reserve toward Westernization. In parallel, its right-wing agenda made it stand in contrast to the Poporanists, a Romanian populist faction whose socialist-inspired ideology also opposed rapid urbanization, but there was a significant overlap in membership between the two groups. Sămănătorul's relationship with the dominant National Liberal Party was equally ambiguous, ranging from an alliance between Sămănătorul and National Liberal politician Spiru Haret to Iorga's explicit condemnation of 20th century Romanian liberalism.
Sămănătorul issue, cover dated October 6, 1907
Ludovic Bassarab's La treierat ("Threshing"), showing peasants in Romanian dress around a combine harvester
Front page of Sămănătorul under Aurel Popovici's direction, December 1909 issue
A peasant household near Bistriţa Monastery, ca. 1906