Painting
An attraction of every Romanian folk-art museum, every monastery or church, and every peasant house, are the painted icons, both on panel and glass. Glass icons are a treasure. They combine a deep understanding of the Holy Scriptures with the simplicity of rural art. Of Central European influence, the glass painting tradition is to be found mostly in Transylvania, in centres like Nicula, Gherla, Hajdate (Cluj), Iernuteni (northwest of Transylvania), Scheii Brasovului, Arpasul de Sus, Avrig (Fagaras), etc.
Painted Eggs
The most readily recognizable examples of Romanian art are painted eggs. You can find them most easily around Easter time. Painting of real, hollowed-out, eggs was an integral part of preparations for this festival of renewal. Women and children gathered in someone’s home and spent the day in painting and gossiping. Intricate patterns were actually secret languages known only to people of the regions where they were painted. The oldest known were painted with aqua fortis (nitric acid) on a red background.
