In 1928, one year after Ion I. C. Brătianu died (n.1864 – m.1927), at the initiative of his wife, Elvira Bratianu, and his brothers, Vintila and Constantin, the first steps were taken to create a monument dedicated to the grand departed. A cultural association was established for this purpose „The I.C. Brătianu Establishment” initially located in Doamnei St. Later, it was relocated to the building in which Ion I.C. Brătianu had lived, in Biserica Amzei St., that had been donated to the establishment having as scope not only the organization of a public library, but also the building of the aforementioned monument.
In 1935, in order to fulfill this task, a committee was organized under the management of the President of the Romanian Academy, Alexandru Lapedatu, who, at the time, was minister of culture. The work was assigned to the Croatian sculptor, Ivan Mestroviçi (n.1885 – m.1962, a renowned plastic artist, author of the statues of King Carol I and King Ferdinand, which no longer exist today) and was ready to be brought to the country in 1937. A small square was created for its placement, the Vintilă Brătianu square (running from the extension of the Vintilă Brătianu Boulevard, nowadays Dacia Boulevard, designed in 1935 and executed in the’80s). The design of the square benefitted from the suggestions made by Mestroviç and was performed by Arch. Horia Teodoru.
In the summer of 1937 the monument was placed in its designed location and the unveiling ceremony was held in November 28th, 1938. On this occasion, it was delivered to the mayor of the Capital who, at that time, was gen. Victor Dombrovschi.
In 1944, it is dismantled, and remained stored between 1950 and 1988 in the yard of the Works of Art Fund. In 1988 the monument was transferred to the Golesti Museum Center.
In 1992, at the initiative of the City Hall of Bucharest and Ministry of Culture, the statue was brought back to the initial location.
The new inauguration took place in November 1992.
Placed in: 1938 • Restored to its former locate on Dacia Bd: 1992 • Author: Ivan Městrovič
Material: black-ash granite (statue) & concrete plated with black granite (pedestal)