Paris – Athens: The Birth of Modern Greece, 1675–1919

Greece became independent from the Ottoman Empire in March 1821 – and in the same month, the Venus de Milo arrived at the Louvre in Paris. The Louvre is marking both of these bicentenaries with an exhibition (until 7 February 2022) that retraces Greek history from the 17th century to the end of the First World War and considers the country’s diplomatic and cultural ties to France during this time. The display spans the Byzantine-influenced art of Ottoman Greece; the nationalist Hellenism of the early 19th century; and the mutual influence of Greek and French artists during the avant-garde movements of the fin de siècle. Find out more from the Louvre’s website.

Preview below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here

Head of a cavalier (‘Payne-Rampin’; c. 570 BC), discovered at the Acropolis in Athens. Photo: Thierry Ollivier; © Musée du Louvre, dist. RMN-Grand Palais