A new exhibition at the Benaki Museum is showing works from the UK Government Art Collection, encouraging fresh perspectives on the historical and artistic links with Greek cultural heritage.
Titled Grand Tour, the exhibition is the result of a new collaborative initiative between the British Embassy in Athens and the Benaki Museum. Seventeen artworks from the British Ambassador’s Residence have been loaned by the UK Government Art Collection for long-term display at the main museum as well as Benaki Museum’s Ghika Gallery.
Rather than being presented as a standalone exhibition, the works have been carefully integrated into the museums’ permanent displays, enriching existing themes and narratives. The approach aims to generate unexpected encounters between artworks, revealing shared histories and underscoring the enduring cultural and diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and Greece.
‘Grand Tour’ web banner, courtesy of Benaki Museum.
Among the exhibition’s highlights is a portrait of Lord Byron by Thomas Phillips. The display of the work carries particular significance as it coincides with the bicentenary of the death of the celebrated Philhellene poet, whose support for the Greek cause made him one of the most enduring figures in the history of Anglo-Greek relations.
Also featured are works by Joseph and Anton Schranz, whose paintings offer a glimpse into life on the Greek islands during the 19th century. Their depictions provide visitors with a visual record of a period that continues to shape the country’s historical identity.
At the Ghika Gallery, paintings and watercolors by Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika and John Craxton explore one of the most important artistic friendships of the 20th century. Displayed within Ghika’s former modernist apartment, the works illuminate the creative dialogue and mutual influences that connected the two artists across national boundaries.
The exhibition also shines a light on the UK Government Art Collection itself, one of Britain’s most distinctive cultural resources. Established more than 120 years ago, the collection comprises nearly 15,000 works spanning six centuries. Its holdings are displayed in ministerial offices, diplomatic residences and government buildings around the world, promoting British art while reflecting the diversity of British society through ongoing acquisitions.
Today, around two-thirds of the collection is on display in capitals across the globe. Through international partnerships and public engagement initiatives, the collection continues to expand access to its holdings and foster cultural exchange.
