Biblioteca

Biblioteca Palatului Cotroceni Cabinetul de lucru al regelui Ferdinand este singurul spatiu care nu a necesitat lucrari de reconstituire, pastrandu-se aproape intact. Ansamblul, lucrat in lemn de ulm, in stil Henric al II-lea impune prin sobrietatea coloristica si stilistica. ... Galeria etajata, marginita de o frumoasa balustrada traforata, este sustinute de grupuri de colonete care ritmeaza spatiul. Plafonul compus din casetoane rectangulare incadrate de campuri de frunze de acant este realizat in stuc alb, motivele sale ornamentale regasindu-se in compozitia covorului. Semineul, din marmura de Portoro si candelabrul sunt originale, ca si masa care reia motivele decorative ale dulapurilor-biblioteca. Biblioteca a adapostit bogatul fond de carte de botanica, istorie, arta etc. a regelui Ferdinand, ce se afla in grija bibliotecarului Gh. Teodorescu Kirileanu-folclorist si istoric literar (bibliotecarul Casei in perioada 1909-1930). In Amintiri politice, I.G. Duca referindu-se la pasiunea pentru botanica a regelui, spunea: "Nu mai vorbesc de botanica, pentru aceasta stiinta avea o adevarata pasiune. Se ocupa de ea cu patima unui savant si cu priceperea unui specialist."

(Extrase din ghidul Muzeului National Cotroceni)

The Library Prince Ferdinand's study is the only room which did not need restoration works, as it was preserved in an almost intact state. The ensemble, made of elm wood in Henry II style, imposes by. its sobriety of colour and style. The plastic decoration of the in-built furniture, made of two levels, is dominated by the ornamentation of the small chests on the bases, on which there are motifs of the late French Renaissance: figures of putti, mascarons, floral garlands etc. The upper gallery, bordered by a beautiful fretwork banister, is supported by groups of slender columns that give rhythm to the space. The ceiling, made of rectangular cases framed by fields of acanthus leaves, is covered with stucco, its ornamental motifs also being there in the composition of the carpet. The fireplace of Portoro marble and the chandelier are original, as well as the table, which resumes the decorative motifs of the bookcases. For its documentary and artistic importance, the monumental desk - made in 1870 and which belonged to Charles I - is also exhibited here. On the entrance door towards the Cerchez space there is the year 1895 inscribed in Latin characters, a date which stands for the end of the first building phase of the collection - containing botany, history, art etc. - that belonged to King Ferdinand and was taken care of by the librarian Gh. Teodorescu Kirileanu - a folklorist and a literary historian (the librarian of the House in the period 1909 - 1930). In his Political Memoirs, I. G. Duca, referring to the king's passion for botany, said: "Not to say anything about botany, for which he had a real passion. He dealt with it with the love of a scholar and the skill of a specialist."

(Excerpts from The Cotroceni National Museum Guide)