The George Oprescu Institute of Art History (Institutul de Istoria Artei George Oprescu) is a research institute located in a historic building on Victory Avenue in Bucharest. The institute operates under the auspices of the Romanian Academy.
The George Oprescu Institute of Art History was founded in 1948 and for its first 20 years, it was led by Professor George Oprescu. During this period the foundations for scientific research in the field of Romanian art were laid. The disciplines studied included medieval art, Byzantine art, theater history, cinematography, music, and architecture.
The research institute was initially housed in the former Royal Palace, but moved to its current premises on Victory Avenue in 1967. In 1992, the institute was named after its founder.
The house in which the institute operates was built around 1860, and a few decades later it came into the hands of the jurist and politician Constantin Dessescu (1854-1932). The new owner carried out a thorough restoration with the help of the famous architect Grigore Cerchez. At this time, the Dissescu House got its current Neo-Romanian style.
After the death of Constantin Dessescu, the building subsequently housed the Institute of Italian Culture, the Romanian-Russian Institute, the Polytechnic Institute, and the Coal Directorate of the Ministry of Chemical Industry, before becoming the headquarters of the George Oprescu Institute of Art History.
The building has undergone several alterations due to the frequent changes of its use, but the cultural monument still has its elegant style with harmonious proportions and Brâncovenesc decorations. The building has two loggias with columns and balustrades of richly carved stone on two of its facades.
