The National Gallery of Athens is an absolute must-visit for art enthusiasts and anyone interested in the rich history of Greek art. Located within walking distance from Syntagma Square and opposite the Athens Hilton Hotel, the gallery has a prime location that is easily accessible.
Founded in 1900, the National Gallery’s first curator was the esteemed Greek painter, Georgios Iakovidis. The gallery was established thanks to the generous donation of lawyer and art lover, Alexandros Soutsos, who left his extensive art collection (107 works) to the Greek State. As a result, the gallery is also known as the Alexandros Soutsos Museum.
Over the years, the National Gallery has been housed in various buildings, finally finding its home in the modern structure on Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue in 1976. With its sleek lines and contemporary style, the building itself is an attraction. The gallery’s collection has grown significantly, now housing around 15,000 works of art, thanks to subsequent donations from Greek businessmen and foreign artists.
The permanent exhibition at the National Gallery showcases an impressive array of Renaissance paintings, including masterpieces by El Greco, Jacob Jordaens, Luca Giordano, and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Works by European painters from the 17th to the 20th century are also on display, with pieces by world-renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Eugene Delacroix, Peter Paul Rubens, Jacques Linar, and Auguste Rodin.
A significant section of the gallery is dedicated to Greek artists from the 19th-century Munich School, as well as contemporary artists from the 20th century. This collection includes works by George Iakovidis, Nikiforos Lytras, Nikolaos Gyzis, Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Gikas, Yannis Tsarouchis, Yannis Moralis, Spyros Vassiliou, Nikos Engonopoulos, Dimitris Mytaras, and Theophilos Hadjimichael.
In addition to the main gallery, the National Gallery of Sculpture, situated in Gudi Park, is also worth a visit. There are also sections of the National Gallery in other cities like Nafplio, Corfu, Aegina, and Sparta.
As an art lover, I found the National Gallery of Athens to be a captivating and educational experience. The diverse collection of masterpieces from various eras and artistic movements offers an unparalleled journey through Greek art history, making it a must-see destination when visiting Athens.
