Where: National
Archaeological Museum
When: On now – May 2019
Why Go: Discover objects of
beauty from antiquity
The National
Archaeological Museum in Athens presents ‘Countless Aspects of Beauty’, the final
exhibition in a fascinating trilogy that showcases the institution’s impressive
collections, on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. More than 300 artefacts, digital
media and other displays explore human kind’s eternal quest for beauty and the need to
be surrounded by beautiful objects, from jewellery, perfume, ceramics and other
everyday pieces.
The exhibition also presents a timeline of aesthetic trends,
evolving from neolithic times to late antiquity.
Some of the "Must See" artefacts
at the Countless Aspects of Beauty exhibition:
Bronze portrait head
from Delos
Early 1st century BC
A distinctively realistic face of an
anonymous figure carrying the burden of ephemeral thoughts and everyday concerns.
Wrinkles on the forehead and the edges of the eyes make for a melancholic expression,
characteristics that are in contrast to the idealism of classical sculpture.
Clay figurine of
‘Thinker’ from Karditsa, Thessaly
Final Neolithic period, 4500-3300BC
The
man brings his right hand to the head in a gesture of pondering, while he enacts too,
the generative power of his masculinity. Only male figures are depicted as ‘thinkers’,
especially in the Balkans. On his naked body, an incised net encircles the neck and the
groin. This 6000-year-old neolithic version (in clay) of a man pondering, was rendered
by an anonymous craftsman of Thessaly and was the precursor to Auguste Rodin’s famous
larger sculptural work.
The birth of
Aphrodite
Marble statue of Aphrodite of the Syracuse type
From Baiae in
South Italy. 2nd century AD (the original of the type dates back to the 4th century
BC)
The goddess is represented half-naked, as a nymph, with her himation wrapped
around the hips and the right hand in front of the chest. The neck, head and right hand
have been restored by the famous neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova. Born from the
foam of the sea, according to the Hesoid, was Aphrodite, daughter of Uranus (the Sky).
Her companions were Eros and Himerus (desire). Having travelled as far as the shores of
Cyprus, the goddess emerged from the sea waves. There, as mythological tradition has it,
the Horai (seasons of the year) and the Graces, anointed her, dressed her in divine
robes, adorned her with bright ornaments and led her to Olympus. Since then her allotted
task was to offer erotic desire to gods and mortals. According to Homer, the bewitching
goddess was the daughter of Zeus and Dione. The unsurpassed beauty of Aphrodite
transcends the ancient art that records in a vivid and glorious manner her sensual
figure. Associated sometimes with legends narrating her adventures and at other times
with her cult, the image of the goddess embodies the essence of female beauty and
symbolises the generative power of the sexual union. Monumental representations of
Aphrodite are encountered in the works of famous artists from antiquity, such as the
supreme sculptor Praxiteles, who was the first to depict the goddess naked.
Rose: a scent from
antiquity
Wearing perfume or cologne is another expression of beauty that
continues today. Researchers from Korres cosmetics company, took on the task of creating
scented oils for the exhibition, using the same raw materials and methodologies as
ancient perfumers, to provide another dimension for visitors. Scented oils were
considered valuable in ancient times, indicators of social status and used by both men
and women. They were applied by athletes at sporting events and by citizens during major
events including childbirth, weddings and burying the dead. The rose scent found on
display, is single-dimensional, without the familiar notes that have become established
in perfumery.
ABOUT THE NAM
The National Archaeological Museum is the largest museum in Greece. Although its
original purpose was to secure finds from nineteenth-century excavations in and around
Athens, it gradually became the central National Archaeological Museum and was enriched
with finds from all over Greece. Its abundant collections, with more than 11,000
exhibits, provide a panorama of Greek civilisation from the beginnings of prehistory to
late antiquity.
ESSENTIALS
COUNTLESS ASPECTS OF
BEAUTY, National Archaeological Museum
Exhibition opening hours:
Monday
1:00pm – 8:00pm
Tuesday – Sunday 8:00am – 8:00pm
ADDRESS
28is
Oktovriou 44, Athens
Closest metro station: Omonoia or Victoria (green line)
For the taxi driver: Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο, Πατησίων 44 Αθήνα
Source: whyathens.com