Ion Mincu was a Romanian architect known for having a leading role in the development of the Romanian Revival style. Most of his projects are located in Bucharest, including his main works, the Palace of Justice, the Kiseleff Roadside Buffet, and the Central Girls' School.
Ion Mincu
Bust of Ion Mincu in Focșani
The Kiseleff Roadside Buffet
Mincu's grave at Bellu Cemetery
Romanian Revival architecture
Romanian Revival architecture is an architectural style that has appeared in the late 19th century in Romanian Art Nouveau, initially being the result of the attempts of finding a specific Romanian architectural style. The attempts are mainly due to the architects Ion Mincu (1852–1912), and Ion N. Socolescu (1856–1924). The peak of the style was the interwar period. The style was a national reaction after the domination of French-inspired Classicist Eclecticism. Apart from foreign influences, the contribution of Romanian architects, who reinvented the tradition, creating, at the same time, an original style, is manifesting more and more strongly. Ion Mincu and his successors, Grigore Cerchez, Cristofi Cerchez, Petre Antonescu, or Nicolae Ghica-Budești declared themselves for a modern architecture, with Romanian specific, based on theses such as those formulated by Alexandru Odobescu around 1870:"Study the remains – no matter how small – of the artistic production of the past and make them the source of a great art (...) do not miss any opportunity to use the artistic elements presented by the Romanian monuments left over from old times; but transform them, change them, develop them ..."
Image: 56, Bulevardul Dacia, Bucharest (Romania)
Image: Biserica Stavropoleos din Bucuresti Curtea cu lapidariul
Image: 4, Strada Doamnei, Bucharest (Romania) 2
The Potlogi Palace, Dâmbovița County, Romania, 17th century