A commemorative exhibition of paintings by Mihai Grecu, who is named the symbol painter of the people between the Prut and Nistru Rivers, has been opened at the National Museum of Arts. The exhibit will continue by December 8, IPN reports.

Attending the opening, Minister of Culture Monica Babuc said the painting “The Boy with the Bullocks” made by Mihai Grecu is an exceptional art that represents the burden of our kindness. The master’s works are fascinating. The diversity of the models with which he worked leaves space for a long future in the history of arts.

National Museum of Arts director Tudor Zbarnea said the 20 exhibited paintings are taken from the personal collections of the Grecu and Peicev families. The chairman of the Union of Plastic Artists Ghenadie Jalba said the works are exceptional both from philosophic viewpoint and as paintings. “The exhibition helps us to determine where we are and what we are,” he stated.

Painter Dumitru Peicev reminded that he made the first steps in paining under the guidance of Master Grecu, who during decades showed that there is new painting in Moldova as well, not only in Romania. His works were appreciated by Russian art critics.

Writer and MP Ion Hadarca said that Mihai Grecu was one of the driving forces of the National Liberation Movement. The Master was able to transmit values from the universal painting to the national one.

The Master’s daughter Tamara Grecu said that Mihai Grecu was a European painter known both in the West and in the East. The exhibition at the National Museum of Arts marks the 15th anniversary of the plastic artist’s death.