Athens may count a couple of millennia of history, but only 180 years as capital. It was in 1834 that a royal decree declared Athens the capital of the newly established Kingdom of Greece. The Municipal Library of Athens also celebrates its centenary and therefore, it was a nice opportunity for the Library to become the host of a special exhibition showcasing works of art inspired by Athens. The exhibition was inaugurated on November 3 by the City’s Mayor Yiorgos Kaminis.
More than 100 paintings, engravings and sculptures are separated in five categories: The City Hall and its history, Athenian landscapes & archaeological sites, everyday life, as well as busts which have decorated the streets of Athens in various time periods. Art History Professor and curator Yannis Kolokotronis says: "It is an invitation to reread our past through the arts of work which survived modern times. We cannot repeat the past, but we can revisit it through art."
Greek National Art Gallery: 19th century painting; Photo from National Gallery
Source: Greek News Agenda