Modern Greece at the Benaki Museum 2024-03-22 23:29:08

What were the Philhellenic porcelain table clocks with the figures of Constantine the Canary and Mameluke from the famous French workshop Jacob Petit (1820-1840)? What do the laurel leaves from the wreaths of the cannons used during the liberation of Ioannina, on February 19-21, 1913, tell us?

What did Electra Apostolou Sideridou, a soldier in the fight for women’s rights and later an executive of the National Liberation Front, write in her letter where she was exiled in Anafi with her daughter during the dictatorship of Ioannis Metaxas in 1939? What does an olive pit necklace have to do with Penelope Delta? Who was the first non-commissioned officer with a pilot’s uniform during the Greco-Italian war of 1940-1941?

The answers are given on the 3rd floor of the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture, which reopens its doors after four years, on the day of the national anniversary of March 25, with a renewed and enriched permanent re-exhibition entitled “New Greece”. Moments, historical documents and figures of modern Greek history are presented through official and private documents, works of art and personal items, as mosaics of the history of modern Greece from the years just before the Greek Revolution to the Second World War, composing a rich mosaic of route of our country.

The museological proposal that runs through a century of history follows the internal structure of the Museum, while the exhibition stands out for its “brightness” and for the “new perspective” where historical documents meet paintings in the context of the History of art. In particular – as the scientific director Giorgis Magginis described yesterday in the presence of the group of curators of the exhibition – rooms 33-36 which were closed during the pandemic are reopening and present the history of modern Greece covering the period from the Struggle for Independence to the Greco-Italian War and the occupation by the Axis powers.

The permanent exhibition on the timeless history of Hellenism from prehistory to the post-war period as envisioned and realized by Angelos Delivorias was inaugurated in the historical building of the Benaki Museum in 2000. At that time, the third floor covered the years from the Revolution of 1821 to in the 1960s. After the recent extremely interesting exhibitions “1821 Before and After” and “Asia Minor. Shine – Destruction – Uprooting – Creation”, all the collections of the Benaki Museum with material from the 18th to the late 19th century “were re-examined and it was deemed necessary to integrate the results of this research” commented Mr. Magginis and pointed out that the enthusiastic response of audience at these exhibitions created a wave of new donations of heirlooms and paintings, which were worthy of inclusion in the permanent exhibition, coordinated by Art historian Vassiliki Daniel.

By Rigas Feraios to Aleppo..

The portrait of Rigas Feraios, a ticket from an art auction organized by Philhellenes in Geneva, the proceeds of which would support the Struggle of the Revolutionary Greeks, the sword of Odysseus Androutsos, the burloto of Konstantinos Kanaris, the compass of Andreas Miaoulis, the flag with the Greece personified as Athena, and the inscription “LIBERTY OR DEATH” that belonged to Theodoros Kolokotronis, the telescope of Laskarina Bouboulina and the pistol of Lord Byron “come to life” the history of the Greek Revolution. Metal and porcelain decorations with Greek and Orientalist iconography have a special place, as well as archival material that demonstrates the efforts to strengthen the Struggle by the special committees of the major European cities.

During the tour, paintings such as those of Georgios Iakovides, Theodoros Rallis, Konstantinos Maleas, Vassos Katrakis covering various periods, from romanticism to the modern trends of the 20th century, create a multidimensional image of art in Greece during this period but also the echo of the historical events in this place in major European art centers such as Paris or London. There are displays that tell the story of the creation of the Greek state, the rule of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the reign of Otho and the first Constitution, the reign of George I, the Balkan Wars and the era of Eleftherios Venizelos. The Asia Minor Catastrophe, the interwar period and the Epic of 1940-1941 come to life through heirlooms, personal items, court costumes and works of art.

Just before the visual epilogue, special emphasis is placed on personalities directly connected to the Benakis Museum, such as Emmanuel Benakis and his son Antonis, founder of the Museum, Penelope S. Delta and Eleftherios Venizelos. Closing two works by an artist, Giannoulis Halepas, who coincide in time with the period covered by the last room, complete the exhibition. The “Angel”, a masterpiece in terracotta and the “Nine Muses” bid farewell to the visitor… Various and different objects on display complete the image of Modern Greece, so that a whole world, now lost in time, introduces itself with its own voice to the younger ones generations! We note that some of the exhibits are marked with QR-Codes, enabling visitors to watch the relevant episode in front of each work.

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