An authentic cultural tradition, in which master painters transformed linen canvas into spectacular rural landscapes for the improvised stages of Romanian villages.
The craftsmen chose hand-woven linen canvas, which they stretched over sturdy wooden frames. Each thread was carefully treated to withstand the successive layers of primer and natural pigments.
Using yellow ochre, red earth, black charcoal, and indigo blue, the painters applied fine layers, letting each dry for days. Colors extracted from local plants and minerals gave the landscapes a unique depth.
On the large canvases, hills, forests, villages, and skies were painted, transforming improvised stages into true living pictures. These backdrops brought the magic of nature directly before the audience, without the need for complex sets.
Each canvas was a unique work, reflecting the specifics of the region – from Bucovina's geometric motifs to the pastoral landscapes of Oltenia. Folk theater thus became a vehicle for transmitting traditions and ancient craftsmanship.
Behind every spectacular backdrop in popular theaters were painters and artisans with a deep knowledge of materials and natural pigments. Our team of specialists in the history of textile art and traditional performance documents and preserves this cultural heritage.
Expert in traditional techniques for preparing linen canvas and applying natural pigments. He has restored over 40 painted backdrops from Transylvanian village theaters, recreating the ochre and hide glue recipes used by master painters.
Specialized in documenting the workshops of painters from Oltenia and Muntenia. He has identified over 60 original canvases from the interwar period, analyzing pigment composition and techniques for stretching them onto wooden frames.
Expert in the conservation of linen canvases and natural pigments. She has coordinated projects to stabilize backdrops from popular theaters in Bukovina, applying traditional treatment methods with vegetable oils for semi-transparency.
Responsible for the digital archive of over 200 photographs and sketches of painted backdrops from village theaters. She has documented the creative process of master painters, from preparing the chalk primer to applying successive layers of pigments.
Expert in identifying and recreating natural pigments used by Oltenian painters: yellow ochre, red earth, black charcoal, and indigo blue. He has recreated traditional recipes for exhibitions and educational workshops.