Biblioteca - Muzeul Naţional Cotroceni

(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)