In cooperation with the British Embassy Athens Benaki Museum is delighted to host ‘GRAND TOUR’ pop-up exhibition in the framework of its permanent collection in the Museum of Greek Culture and The Ghika Gallery.
The exhibition includes 17 works of art, part of the UK Government Art Collection, which up until recently were housed at The British Ambassador’s Residence; they are on long term loan to be displayed in the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture and The Ghika Gallery. Fourteen of them will be exhibited at the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture and three at the Ghika Art Gallery.
Grand Tour
The Government Art Collection of the United Kingdom is a unique cultural institution, promoting British art by displaying works in British government buildings around the world.
The opportunity for the loan was the renovation of the British Embassy Residence, which will last approximately two years. The Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Greece, Mr. Matthew Lodge, had the idea to exhibit some of these important works that decorate the Residence so that everyone could have the rare opportunity to admire them.
These significant works of the 19th and 20th century are displayed as part of the permanent collections and follow the current thematic narratives allowing for new and unexpected dialogues and highlighting both the shared stories and the strong cultural and diplomatic links between the United Kingdom and Greece.
Grand Tour
The Grand Tour was the expedition conducted by young British aristocrats to Greece in search of classical antiquity. It was a difficult and costly undertaking as it was accompanied by a large delegation of service personnel, artists, and scientists. The exhibition transports the visitor to that time, inviting him to participate in a “treasure hunt” that will reveal the artworks-map included.
One of the key works of this pop up exhibition is the Lord Byron’s portrait by Thomas Philips; guests will have the opportunity to admire it all through 2024 commemorating the bicentenary of the death of the Philhellene poet. Paintings by Joseph and Anton Schranz offer an insight into Greek islands during the 19th century while works by Nikos Hadjikyriakos- Ghikas and John Craxton displayed in The Ghika Gallery, the building at 3 Kriezotou Street which belonged to Hadjikyriakos-Ghika and donated to the Benaki Museum, highlight the enduring friendship between the two major 20th century artists.
The Museum will accompany the exhibition with focused tours for the public and scientific lectures.
Grand Tour
HM Ambassador Matthew Lodge noted:
”I would like to think that the ‘Grand Tour’ exhibition gives an interesting angle of the strong people-to-people links through the eyes of the artists and the choice of themes; British travels to Nemea and Phigaleia, to Mount Athos and Corfu; their admiration of Greece and its beauty”.
Exhibition
Benaki Museum of Greek Culture
(1 Koumbari Street, Athens)
Duration of exhibition: 05/07/2023 – 01/06/2025
Benaki Museum / The Ghika Gallery
(3 Kriezotou Street, Athens)
Duration of exhibition: 07/07/2023 – 01/06/2025
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