A Panorama of Modern Greek Art
The National Gallery – Alexandros Soutsos Museum serves as the most important custodian of Greek artistic creations. Within the fully renovated and modern building covering 20,760 square metres in the centre of Athens, visitors have the opportunity to discover the evolution of Greek art. The collection reflects the history of the modern Greek state and covers the period from the post-Byzantine era to contemporary creations.
The Experience of Entry
The tour begins impressively in the reception area with Panagiotis Tetsis' monumental "Laiki Agora" (street market). This triptych, 15 metres in length, overflows with colour and the joy of life. The artwork functions symbolically, declaring that, like a street market, the museum is open to the world.
Exploring the Floors
On the first floor, 19th-century paintings prevail. Masterpieces of the "Munich School" stand out, with representatives including Nikiforos Lytras, Nikolaos Gyzis, and Georgios Iakovidis. Alongside these, remarkable portraits of the urban class are presented, such as "Athenian Evening" by Iakovos Rizos.
Ascending to the second floor, "Eroticon" by Yannis Moralis introduces visitors to the 20th century. Works by the legendary Generation of the '30s are presented, along with examples of early Greek modernism, while a special room is dedicated to the Cubist works of Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas. The tour culminates on the third floor with new movements, Pop Art, and the relationship between art and technology.
Infrastructure and Outdoor Spaces
The building features state-of-the-art maintenance laboratories, a library, and a restaurant with panoramic views of the Acropolis. Outdoors, art interacts with the city. The entrance is dominated by Rodin's "Walking Man", alongside kinetic sculptures by Takis. Beneath the bridge, in a canal symbolising the ancient Ilissos river, stands a sculpture by Kostas Varouchos, while in the background, visitors can see the famous "Umbrellas" by Zongolopoulos.
