As a photo reporter for main publications of the time (“Adevarul”, “Dimineata”, “Romania Illustrata” etc), Iosif Berman became one of the official photographers of the Royal House and he could see the political life and decisions unfold under his very eyes.
He witnessed and photographed Prince Mihai I grow up, he captured Ionel Bratianu, Tarascu Government, foreign official figures and even the beginning of the National Legionary State, which brought his abrupt demise.
The Legionary state closed off Berman’s photo cabinet and interdicted that he, as a Romanian citizen with Jewish descent would continue working; he kept a few contracts with the US until this was also forbidden and his gear confiscated.
Not being able to practice his craft as well as the segregation deeply depressed him and quickly lead to his death in October 1941.
Ion I.C. Bratianu turning the oath of the Liberal Ministery on the 22nd June 1927, at Scrovistea domain.
Celebrating the Union in Bucharest. We can see his Majesty king Carol II of Romania, on his left Sidorovici, the commander of watchmen and Mihai, the heir prince, during the singing of the royal anthem. The occasion was that of the sharing of flags with the watchmen commanders. The king and the prince are wearing the uniform of the Romanian watchmen.
Printed photograph found by Dan Burzo in a flea market in Cluj; cleaned, scaned and exhibited by Cezar Popescu and the White Studios Association
More info: The Roman greeting, the right hand risen above the head with the palm pointing to the one saluted, was used by the Country’s Watch as well as by the National Renaissance Front, Carol II’s unique party that ended up to include the entire corpus of the Romanian administration. Besides raising the hand, the greeting also included “To health!” appellation.
The heir prince, Mihai, at one of the classes of the palatine school, an elite educational project that comprised 12 students. The palatine class was established by Dimitrie Gusti, the father of sociology and etnography in Romania, by the rule of Carol II. The number of students varied across the years, but it included people from different walks of life and various nationalities!
Gala show at the Romanian Opera, by Parnell Polish ballet. We can see Mr. and Mrs. Franasovici and Mr. and Mrs. Archichevsky, the Polish minister.
Richard Franasovici was twice a minister during Carol II, within Gheorghe Tătărăscu’s government. He was born in Targu Mures as an Austrian citizen and got the Romanian citizenship when he was 23.
Among one of the last official photos Berman took, this one depicts General Ion Antonescu (left) and Horia Sima (right) on 14th September 1940, when Romania was proclaimed National Legionary State. General Antonescu asked for the abdication of King Carol II in the favour of his son, Mihai I, to whom a limited, symbolic position was granted.
This photograph was published as a spread in Romania Illustrated (Romania Ilustrata) – a monthly image rich publication in 4 languages - in November 1927. It depicts His Royal Highness, Prince Nicholas, reading the message for the opening of the Parliament.
